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Second-Hand Smoke
Second-hand smoke (SHS), also known as passive smoking, is the smoke breathed in from someone else’s cigarette, cigar, or pipe. It’s a mixture of the smoke exhaled by a smoker and the smoke from the burning end of the cigarette. Exposure to second-hand smoke can have serious health consequences, even for those who have never smoked themselves.
In Wales, progress has been made with laws protecting people in public spaces, but SHS exposure continues to impact families, especially children, in homes and cars where smoking still occurs.
What's The Issue?
Second-hand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and around 70 of which can cause cancer. Despite growing awareness, SHS remains a significant public health issue, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and those with existing health conditions.
Even brief exposure can have harmful effects, and long-term exposure significantly increases the risk of serious illnesses.
Why It Matters?
Children’s Health
Children exposed to SHS are at a higher risk of serious health problems, including:
Increased likelihood of ear infections, asthma, and chest infections.
Greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Higher chances of long-term respiratory issues and developmental problems.
Long-Term Health Risks
Long-term exposure to SHS can lead to chronic health issues, such as:
Heart disease and stroke.
Lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses.
Increased risk of developing asthma in children and worsening symptoms in those who already have it.
Disproportionate Impact on Low-Income Families
Children from lower-income households are more likely to be exposed to second-hand smoke, contributing to lifelong health inequalities. Ensuring smokefree environments can help level the playing field and protect vulnerable children from preventable harm.
Regulation Changes
Wales has been a leader in smoke-free initiatives, taking significant steps to protect public health:
2007: Wales introduced the smoke-free public places law, banning smoking in indoor public spaces and workplaces.
2015: Smoking in cars carrying children was banned to protect young passengers from exposure.
2021: Smoke-free hospital grounds, school grounds, playgrounds, and outdoor care settings for children were introduced, further limiting public exposure to second-hand smoke.
These regulations have contributed to a significant reduction in public exposure and have helped shift societal norms around smoking, especially in spaces shared with children and families.
Key Stats
- Over 80% of second-hand smoke is invisible and odourless.
- Exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer by up to 30% in non-smokers.
- Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at higher risk of respiratory infections, asthma, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Second-hand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, with at least 70 known to cause cancer.
- More than 8,000 deaths each year in the UK are linked to second-hand smoke exposure.
- No Downloads Available
Support for quitting smoking, including free services and expert advice.
Overview of health risks linked to passive smoking.
Cancer Research – What Is Passive Smoking?
Information on how second-hand smoke affects other people and how to prevent exposure.
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