Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke comes from a burning cigarette. It stays in clothing, hair, furniture, curtains, and carpets even after a cigarette is put out.

Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and poisons, and at least 50 of these are known to cause cancer. When you breathe secondhand smoke, you inhale the same chemicals as smokers do.

Secondhand smoke is a health hazard.

Secondhand smoke is dangerous, even if you can't smell it. Opening a window, siting in a separate area, or using air filters or a fan does not get rid of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke exposes your family and friends to many risks. In adults, it causes problems with asthma, poor blood circulation, heart disease, and lung cancer. In children, it causes more coughs, colds, problems with asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis.

Due to the dangers of secondhand smoke, Massachusetts workplaces are now smoke-free, and more and more housing facilities are going smoke-free as well.