A 50-year-old member asked:
Why does second-hand smoke cause health problems?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Christian Mayaudanswered
Hospital-based practice 37 years experience
It's a Myth: I am not an advocate of smoking and there are lot's of reason to quit smoking but "Second Hand Smoke" is not one of them. The expression "second-hand smoke" is a very effective piece of anti-smoking propaganda used all the time by public health officials and physicians yet there is absolutely no scientific evidence to support it's existence. It's logical to conclude but not proven in any study.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Christian Mayaud commented
Hospital-based practice 37 years experience
Provided original answer
The only study ever done which supports the existence of "second hand smoke" was done with asthmatic children who had parents who smoke. It showed that there was a small but significant increase in asthma exacerbations among children whose parents smoked. The term "second hand smoke" started with that study but has been overblown by anti-tobacco propagandists with little scientific support.
Dec 31, 2014
Dr. Christian Mayaud commented
Hospital-based practice 37 years experience
Provided original answer
"Second Hand Smoke" is "White Lie" commonly told with good intent by physicians and public health officials. We don’t want people to smoke for the proven deleterious effects of tobacco smoke but we also shouldn’t be driving non-smokers crazy with worries of relatively insignificant and unproven secondhand smoking risks. Relax ... If it stinks just avoid it.
Dec 31, 2014
Similar questions
A 45-year-old member asked:
What problems are caused by cigarette second hand smoke ?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Dean Giannoneanswered
Internal Medicine 27 years experience
Same as smoking.: The risks may be lower, but they're the same as smoking. Heart disease. Lung cancer. Emphysema. The list goes on.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Could second hand smoke cause problems?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Packanswered
General Surgery 33 years experience
Yes: Second hand smoke can cause the same problems as regular smokers - asthma, copd, lung cancer....
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
What are the health effects of second hand smoke in a vehicle with their children inside?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Increased Illness: The effect of second hand smoke on children is well documented.It has proportionally greater effect on the younger children where it can double or triple the risk of respiratory disease.(ear & sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia)the effect is seen even at low smoke levels such that a chronic smoker would not be able to smell the smoke.Problems skyrocket if they smoke with kids present.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Any advice? I have been exposed to second hand smoke. Is my health now at risk?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Addiction Medicine 51 years experience
No: But your level of anxiety concerns me. Virtually everyone on the planet has been exposed to second hand smoke, whether they know it or not. We should all try to minimize our exposure, but single exposure to second hand smoke would have no detectable effects on anybody, other than perhaps someone with a severe allergy to tobacco smoke, or where it sets off their asthma. A counselor might help you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
What are the health risk for second hand smoke for females?
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kenneth Chenganswered
Family Medicine 33 years experience
Same as men: bad: Second hand smoke exposure can be detrimental to one's health, regardless of gender.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Dec 11, 2015
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