Undies, toothbrushes, nachos - there are many things you don’t want second hand and smoke is one of them.  Did you know there are many dangers by just being around someone who is smoking?

Second hand smoke can come from the burning end of a cigarette or the smoke that’s breathed out from a smoker's mouth. When you are around someone who is smoking, you are breathing in their smoke too. Second hand smoke is also sometimes called ‘passive smoke' or ‘environmental tobacco smoke'.  

Exposure to second hand smoke will give you more than just smelly clothes and hair, it can cause:

• increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease
• respiratory problems such as pneumonia and bronchitis
• slower lung growth and decreased lung function
• sore and/or watery eyes
• sneezing and coughing
• sore throat
• breathing problems
• asthmatics to experience wheezing and chest tightening
• ear infections

Have you heard of Third hand smoke?

Researchers have recently identified the residue from tobacco smoke that is found on furniture, clothes and other surfaces, to be third-hand smoke. 
Poisonous particles in third-hand smoke may react with indoor air chemicals to form potential cancer-causing substances.
Want to know more about third hand smoke? Click here (www.businessweek.com/print/lifestyle/content/feb2010/bw2010029_074347.htm )

Watch this YouTube clip of an advertisement created by the Scotland Executive on the health effects of second hand smoke.

For more information on second hand smoke and how to protect yourself from second hand smoke check out:

• Second hand smoke fact sheet (PDF 644kb)
• Being smoke free section of this website 
• Tobacco in Australia: Facts and Issues - Chapter 4: The health effects of second hand smoke