Passive smoking could be defined as “accidental or inadvertent smoking”, because of inhaling or intake of second hand smoke. Tobacco smoke is so lethal that it contains around 300 chemicals that are carcinogenic, meaning “cancer causing”. Also known as indirect smoking, this way of smoking is equally lethal and deadly as that of direct smoking. Research proves us, that even exposure to tobacco burning, could lead us to heart diseases, lungs cancer and other major health related problems. The dangers that are associated with passive smoking seem to prohibit smoking in public places like hotels, gardens, airport, railways and places of historical importance like museums and national monuments.
Studies conclude that passive smoking, is equally harmful. Those who don’t smoke but have their partners smoking, tend to develop greater risk of lung cancer and heart diseases. They seem to be associated with the same ailments like that of active smokers. The California Environmental Protection Agency has also concluded that, it leads to female diseases like the Breast cancer and risk of Premature pregnancy.
Other ill effects of passive smoking could be Risk of Asthma, lung infection and problems associated with blood circulation. A recent study concluded by the World Health Organization states that non smokers seem to be effected with the same level of carcinogens like active smokers. Passive tobacco smoke has instant effect on blood veins and arteries leading to chances of getting a heart attack.
Tobacco smoke seems to be a greater air pollutant as compared to fuel driven automobiles. A latest research that was done by the National Cancer Institute proved that tobacco smoke caused more pollution than a diesel engine at an idling mode. This research was done with respect to “particular matter” (PM) emission test.
It would be surprising to know that passive smoking could cause cancer even to our loving pets. According to the latest findings by University of Massachusetts, cats who had their owners smoking had developed symptoms of “feline lymphoma” a type of cancer found very rarely among cats.
This fact comes even with a bigger surprise; a study by Colorado State University concluded that, even dogs were infected to canine lung cancer, because they were exposed to tobacco smoke. However most scholars believe that average level of exposure to indirect tobacco smoke could have temperate chances of developing cancer.
Even though scientific research proves existing connectivity between passive smoking and health related issues, the magnitude of this risk still remains a big question mark?
Recent surveys by National Cancer Institute have stated that there has been widespread public awareness about passive smoking. It also reports that passive smoking is a major health concern among people. It has been concluded that passive smoking is more pervasive than we actually thought. Thus this issue has not just become public nuisance but also cause of many health problems.

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