Page under construction! Please excuse any ‘mess’!
Secondhand smoke/vapor is when you breathe in someone else’s smoke/vapor even though you are not the one smoking. It can happen if you are near someone who is smoking/vaping, whether it’s a public place, car, or home, and can come from any cigarette, cigar, or vape product.
Secondhand smoke and firsthand smoke (this is when someone is smoking or vaping) actually contains many of the same harmful chemicals—you’re just breathing them in from the air instead of directly from tobacco or vape products. Here are some of those chemicals:
- Carbon monoxide – a poisonous gas that can make it hard for your blood to carry oxygen
- Formaldehyde – a chemical used to preserve dead things
- Ammonia – also found in some cleaning products
- Benzene – a chemical found in gasoline
Even though secondhand smoke might seem less direct, these chemicals can make it dangerous to be around! This is why smoking/vaping around children can be especially dangerous for the kids in your life!
Breathe Resources about Second Hand Smoke/Vapor
This Breathe handout goes over some of the dangers that can come from second hand smoke/vapor and why it is important to keep smoke/vapor away from kids!
Pregnancy and Secondhand Smoke/Vapor
Second hand smoke/vapor can also affect a baby that is growing and developing when someone is pregnant. Chemicals breathed in can go right to the developing baby and can possibly cause some complications.
If you would like to learn about tobacco use and pregnancy, check our pregnancy page!
Children and Secondhand Smoke Video
This quick video talks about some of the effects of second hand smoke/vapor and how it can affect you and your kids!
>> Go back to the homepage to explore more topics!