Passive smoking: How bad is it for non-smokers?

[phase_dancer]

This study by WHO and The Lancet was recently completed.

Passive smoking kills 600,000 worldwide


Read more at: http://doctor.ndtv.com/storypage/ndtv/id/4843/Passive_smoking_kills_600000_worldwide.html?cp


The first global study into the effects of passive smoking has found that second hand smoke causes 600,000 deaths every year - this is more than 1% of all deaths. One-third of those killed are children, often exposed to smoke at home.

The study, in 192 countries, found that passive smoking is particularly dangerous for children, said to be at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome, pneumonia and asthma. Passive smoking can cause heart disease, respiratory illness and lung cancer.

The report estimates that 165,000 children die of smoke-related respiratory infections, mostly in South East Asia and in Africa. It said that this group was more exposed to passive smoking than any other group, principally in their own homes. The mix of infectious diseases and second-hand smoke is a deadly combination. As well as being at higher risk of a series of respiratory conditions, the lungs of children who breathe in passive smoke may also develop more slowly than children who grow up in smoke-free homes.

The report further said that worldwide, 40% of children, 33% of non-smoking men and 35% non-smoking women were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2004. This exposure was estimated to have caused 379,000 deaths from heart disease, 165,000 from lower respiratory infections, 36,900 from asthma and 21,400 from lung cancer.

According to the study, the highest numbers of people exposed to second-hand smoke are in Europe and Asia and the lowest rates of exposure were in the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa.

The research also revealed that passive smoking had a large impact on women, killing about 281,000 worldwide. This is due to the fact that in many parts of the world, the study suggests, women are at least 50% more likely to be exposed to second-hand smoke than men.


Read more at: http://doctor.ndtv.com/storypage/ndtv/id/4843/Passive_smoking_kills_600000_worldwide.html?cp

 

[Divine Moments]

I stand corrected, thanks for posting

One thing to keep in mind with this sort of thing, as with other reports of drug-related deaths (particularly smoking and alcohol), is that they aren't necessarily demonstrating causality. For example, if someone exposed to second-hand smoke develops lung cancer or heart disease then it will be included in this study, however that doesn't mean that smoke caused their disease. People do still develop lung cancer without exposure to known risk factors so they may have been part of the unlucky minority who would have had it anyway. Heart disease even moreso usually arises in individuals with numerous risks (e.g. male, older, obese, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes). I'm not saying the study's invalid - it's not practical or even possible to prove causality - just remember that this doesn't mean that without second-hand smoke all those 600,000 people wouldn't develop the conditions reported.

 

[belarki]

Thanks for linking the report p_d; very interesting if somewhat depressing. I read the other day that Spain has just introduced some extremely tight anti-smoking laws too after trailing the rest of Europe on such legislation for years. It makes me glad it's banned here indoors & at restaurants, etc as well.

 

[ShitKebab]

Give them a smoking room/cell in town and cities to smoke at and cautions and fines if found smoking in public I say. Or they can leave it at home. Have harm reduction and programs available for free, not having to pay to see a doctor to quit etc. So much can be done but as they say "its a good taxable droog innit"

 

[Divine Moments]

^ Pretty unnecessary and unreasonable suggestion, do you really believe that?

Also where are you getting that you need to see a doctor to quit? Sure they can give advice, brief counselling, prescribe medications and suggest other supports, but quitting itself doesn't require a doctor. Neither do support groups, quitline, nicotine replacement therapy, etc.

 

[silentangst]

I'm pretty pleased with Australia's current anti-smoking laws. I hate smoking myself, but they have to have some rights, you know?

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ I hate these anti-smoking laws. Well in Brisbane anyway, Melbourne wasn't so bad, not as good as SEA though.

And for the record I never smoke around children, if I'm having a cigarette and I see a woman and child come my way I will hide it as a courtesy.

I was pretty surprised at the deaths from passive smoking... I might look into that a bit later on.