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Passive smoking: Unveiling the hidden health risks

Passive smoking’s hidden dangers revealed. Learn how second-hand smoke impacts your health and well-being.

Passive smoking: Unveiling the hidden health risks

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Even passive smoking poses dangers to your health. Picture this: you’re enjoying a freshly brewed milk tea outside a local tea shop when sudden coughing fits interrupt your enjoyment. The culprit? A man standing nearby, puffing away on a cigarette he just bought. You step aside, but the harm has already been done. According to WHO, second-hand smoke is responsible for an estimated 600,000 premature deaths annually. Despite the common belief that brief exposure to second-hand smoke is harmless, it’s a misconception; passive smoking can have serious health implications. Here are some ways it can be detrimental to your health:

1. Harmful to the Heart:

Even non-smokers are at risk. Exposure to second-hand smoke can lead to coronary diseases and damage blood vessels. Those with high blood pressure are particularly vulnerable, as constant exposure can exacerbate their condition.

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2. Increases the Risk of Lung Cancer:

It’s not just chain smokers who face heightened risks; individuals exposed to second-hand smoke are also in danger. They inhale the same harmful chemicals as active smokers, increasing their risk of lung cancer. The longer the exposure, the greater the risk.

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3. Harmful to Pregnant Women:

Second-hand smoke poses significant risks to pregnant women and their babies, increasing the likelihood of birth defects and various health complications.

4. Extremely Harmful for Children:

Children exposed to second-hand smoke are prone to a range of health issues, including pneumonia, middle-ear infections, coughing, asthma, and lung congestion.

You don’t have to be a smoker to suffer the consequences of smoking. Avoid areas designated for smoking and steer clear of individuals who smoke to protect your health.

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