$Unique_ID{BRK01579} $Pretitle{} $Title{Health Effects of "Secondhand" Smoke} $Subject{smoking passive danger Community Social Problems Secondhand Smoke breath breathe cigarette lung cancer cancers breathing passive eyes eye throat nasal passages passage tearing tear tears sneezing sneeze sneezes lungs alveoli Problems Smokes Smoker Smokers cigarettes bronchi bronchioli bronchioles} $Volume{Q-23} $Log{ Anatomy of the Alveoli*0005903.scf The Effects of Smoking*0007301.scf} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Health Effects of "Secondhand" Smoke ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: I guess I shouldn't admit this so openly, but I still smoke around the house, though certainly less than previously. My wife literally screams at me each time she even smells a bit of smoke, and says that not only am I killing myself, but I am ruining her health as well. I don't see how this could be, and so I thought I would send the question along to you. Is there any truth to my wife's opinion? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: I believe your wife probably has done some reading that you haven't, for there have been many investigations into the effect of smoke on people who breath in these "secondhand" fumes. Most recently, a draft report from the Environmental Protection Agency was reviewed by a panel of scientists that concluded that cigarette smoke was the cause of about 3,800 cases of lung cancer. And it is felt that the risk to children may be even more overwhelming. There are many effects from breathing in the smoke from someone else's cigarette (sometimes called passive smoke), and perhaps outlining them for you may help you deal with your wife's ire. Smoke is an irritant that can effect the eyes, and throat and nasal passages, causing tearing and sneezing. From there the smoke is absorbed into the bloodstream through the membranes of the nose and throat. In the bloodstream it is picked up by red blood cells, reducing their ability to carry oxygen. This causes the heart to work harder, trying to make up for the deficiency. The chemicals in the smoke can injure cells inside the blood vessels, which speeds the formation of fatty plaques that are the primary cause of blockage. In the lungs, the smoke particles cause irritation that provokes the production of excess mucus. Indirectly, these same particles may cause damage to the walls of the alveoli (the tiny sacs in the lungs), through which oxygen passes into the blood stream. This reduces the efficiency of the lungs, and requires more effort. And all of this occurs in someone who is breathing your smoke secondhand. Can you imagine what is going on inside of your body? ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.