Secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Who is most affected by secondhand smoke?
Children still have a higher prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure than adults, and most are exposed in the home. In 2019, an estimated 6.7 million (25.3%) of middle and high school students reported secondhand smoke exposure in the home.
How does smoking affect non-smokers?
Over time, secondhand smoke has been associated with serious health problems in non-smokers: Lung cancer in people who have never smoked. More likely that someone will get heart disease‚ have a heart attack‚ and die early. Breathing problems like coughing‚ extra phlegm‚ wheezing‚ and shortness of breath.