Seaway Valley Prevention: TFC Secondhand

Policy

Campus Tobacco Task Force

The TRUTH about SECONDHAND SMOKE

What are the effects of secondhand smoke?

Being around secondhand smoke causes irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.

Secondhand smoke also irritates the lungs. This can lead to coughing, excess phlegm, chest discomfort and difficulty breathing.

Secondhand smoke has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).

Secondhand Smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. In 2001, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reported finding 69 chemicals in cigarette smoke which are either known or probably known to cause cancer.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also called Secondhand Smoke kills 53,000 non-smokers in the U.S. each year. Among these are about 3,000 from lung cancer and over 35,000 from heart disease.

What Can Be Done?

Outside Links

New York Smoke Free

Quit Smoking Facts

American Cancer Society

American Lung Association