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Passive Smoking Facts

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Tobacco smoking has long be recognized as a significant cause of death; resulting in nearly a half million deaths per year in the US. It is known to cause lung cancer and increase the risks for heart disease.

The Risks of Passive Smoking

In recent years, it has been determined that non-smokers may also be at risk from second hand or passive smoke.

In part of a comprehensive report on indoor air pollution the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) has been studying the respiratory health effects of passive smoke. Their findings included a conclusion that passive smoke was a serious and substantial risk to the US public. Passive smoking is responsible for 3000 deaths annual among non-smokers. Passive smoke has been labeled as a Group A carcinogen, or a substance that has been shown to cause cancer in human populations. In children, passive smoking has been linked to increases in bronchitis and pneumonia, resulting in 150,000 to 300,000 cases per year in infants and young children. As many as 1 million children may have the frequency or severity of asthma in children.

Treatment for Passive Smoking

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure or passive smoking is treated by avoiding exposure to smoke. The first steps may be to require smokers to abstain from smoking in the home and family car. The smoker must understand the implications and risks for the health of non-smokers in the family, especially children.

Since the risks of smoke contamination in household fabrics and clothing is less known, it is recommended that the house been de-contaminated of any smoke residue.

The best treatment for passive smoking is to aid in the quitting of smoking for every member of the family that smokes.

Quit Smoking

There is a wide range of recommended ways to stop smoking. For many people the nicotine patch will have the most effective results. The National Institute of Health in the UK reports that the nicotine patch will increase the likelihood of success in a quit smoking program by more than sevenfold.

Other programs to stop smoking might include group or individual therapy, hypnosis or medical intervention.

Natural Treatments to Stop Smoking

Natural options for smokers want to quit have included a variety of herbal supplements. St. John’s Wort has been recommended to ease depression, which is a common side effect when a smoker begins a quit smoking plan.

Lobelia is often suggested as an herbal supplement that mimics the sensation of nicotine. Yoga, hypnosis, acupuncture and meditation are also common natural healing methods recommended to smokers wanting to stop.

Dangers of Smoking

In addition to the risks to others from ETS or passive smoking, smokers run the risk of severe health issues. Nicotine raises heart rate and blood pressure. The tar from the cigarettes also accumulates in the bronchial tubes which lead to the lungs.

Smokers have an increased level of carbon monoxide in their lungs; carbon monoxide is absorbed in the bloodstream and reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Article Last Modified Sunday, October 4, 2009

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