Sidestream Smoke: the Real Dangers It Poses to Nonsmokers

There isn't much to argue about when the dangers of smoking are brought to discussion. It's been a long-settled issue that smoking shortens life as it is one of the leading causes of certain cancers, particularly lung cancer, and heart disease. The controversy surrounding smoking actually pertains more on the real dangers sidestream (secondhand) smoke poses to nonsmokers. The debate centers on the nature and extent of the harm nonsmokers have to put up with when exposed to sidestream smoke.

Research and studies indicate that the dangers sidestream smoke poses to nonsmokers may be even worse than those mainstream smoke presents to smokers. Here's why this is so: The smoke drawn from cigarettes passes through a filtering and cooling system on its way into the smoker's lungs. It is estimated that more than half of the smoke that comes from a lighted cigarette isn't inhaled by the smoker; rather, it disperses in the surrounding air where it may actually find its way into the lungs of those who don't smoke at all. As many as fifty different cancer-causing chemicals may be contained in this unfiltered sidestream smoke.

The lungs, heart, and the arteries are the organs severely affected in nonsmokers who inhale sidestream smoke. This fact is supported by several studies which cogently associated sidestream smoke with lung cancer and heart disease. Other research has revealed that symptoms in people who suffer from bronchitis and asthma are exacerbated by sidestream smoke. Certain cancers, such as those of the brain, uterus, cervix, and breast, as well as leukemia have likewise been linked to sidestream smoke.

Children are at particular risk from sidestream smoke inasmuch as their bodies are still in the developmental stage. Those exposed to such smoke are liable to develop bronchitis, asthma, and heart disease. Also in one study, it was found that nonsmokers had very low blood levels of vitamin C, one of the prominent antioxidants known to fight heart disease and cancer. It is suggested that taking additional vitamin C may offset some of the damaging effects of sidestream smoke.

Indeed, the smoke from a lighted cigarette teems with harmful free radicals which can damage the body's cells, resulting to chronic disease. It is said that the smoke from a cigar is even more damaging, considering that a cigar contains more carcinogens, and gives off more carbon monoxide, than a cigarette. With all the real dangers sidestream smoke carries, the best course of action nonsmokers can take is to urge their family members, colleagues at work, and friends to give up smoking. Since this is easier said than done, the next best option is for nonsmokers to stay away from smoke-filled places. Family members who smoke need not be reminded that they should light up their cigars or cigarettes outside their homes to spare nonsmoking members the harm caused by sidestream smoke. [Read the Original Article]