GITNUXREPORT 2026

Second Hand Smoke Statistics

Secondhand smoke causes tens of thousands of preventable deaths every year.

Rajesh Patel

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Secondhand smoke exposure causes more than 41,000 deaths per year among nonsmoking adults from heart disease and lung cancer

Statistic 2

Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 25-30% increased risk of coronary heart disease

Statistic 3

Secondhand smoke increases the risk of stroke by 20-30% in nonsmokers

Statistic 4

Exposure to secondhand smoke raises the risk of lung cancer by 20-30% in nonsmoking adults

Statistic 5

Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, hundreds toxic and about 70 that cause cancer, affecting adult respiratory health

Statistic 6

Nonsmokers living with a smoker have 30% higher risk of heart disease death

Statistic 7

Secondhand smoke exposure leads to 34,000 premature deaths annually from coronary heart disease in US nonsmokers

Statistic 8

Adults exposed to secondhand smoke show 15-20% reduced lung function over time

Statistic 9

Secondhand smoke increases adult asthma exacerbations by 40%

Statistic 10

Nonsmoking spouses of smokers have 91% higher lung cancer risk if exposed long-term

Statistic 11

Secondhand smoke causes 7,300 lung cancer deaths yearly in US nonsmokers

Statistic 12

Adult exposure to secondhand smoke elevates blood pressure by 5-10 mmHg acutely

Statistic 13

Secondhand smoke doubles the risk of heart attacks in nonsmokers

Statistic 14

Nonsmokers with workplace secondhand smoke exposure have 24% higher coronary heart disease risk

Statistic 15

Secondhand smoke increases adult COPD risk by 50% in heavy exposure scenarios

Statistic 16

Adults exposed to secondhand smoke have 1.3 times higher risk of type 2 diabetes

Statistic 17

Secondhand smoke exposure causes endothelial dysfunction in adults, reducing artery dilation by 20%

Statistic 18

Nonsmoking adults in homes with smokers show 25% higher hospitalization rates for heart disease

Statistic 19

Secondhand smoke leads to 15% increase in adult rheumatoid arthritis risk

Statistic 20

Long-term secondhand smoke exposure in adults increases dementia risk by 30%

Statistic 21

Secondhand smoke exposure triples the risk of sudden cardiac death in nonsmoking adults

Statistic 22

Adults with secondhand smoke exposure have 40% higher risk of peripheral artery disease

Statistic 23

Secondhand smoke causes 20% increase in adult sinusitis incidence

Statistic 24

Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke exhibit 35% higher C-reactive protein levels indicating inflammation

Statistic 25

Secondhand smoke increases adult risk of severe periodontitis by 1.5 times

Statistic 26

Exposure to secondhand smoke in adults leads to 28% higher risk of atrial fibrillation

Statistic 27

Secondhand smoke exposure causes a 22% increase in adult breast cancer risk among never-smokers

Statistic 28

Nonsmoking adults with high secondhand smoke exposure have 50% higher carotid plaque prevalence

Statistic 29

Secondhand smoke doubles adult risk of acoustic neuroma tumors

Statistic 30

Adults exposed to secondhand smoke show 18% higher incidence of chronic rhinosinusitis

Statistic 31

Secondhand smoke causes about 20% of lung cancers in nonsmokers, primarily adenocarcinoma

Statistic 32

Long-term secondhand smoke exposure increases lung cancer risk by 22% in never-smokers

Statistic 33

Secondhand smoke classified as Group 1 carcinogen by IARC

Statistic 34

Spousal secondhand smoke exposure raises lung cancer odds ratio to 1.24

Statistic 35

Secondhand smoke contains 70 carcinogens including benzene, formaldehyde

Statistic 36

Workplace secondhand smoke exposure increases lung cancer risk by 16%

Statistic 37

Secondhand smoke linked to 7,300 lung cancer deaths annually in US nonsmokers

Statistic 38

Childhood secondhand smoke exposure triples adult lung cancer risk later in life

Statistic 39

Secondhand smoke elevates nasal sinus cancer risk by 100% in nonsmokers

Statistic 40

Secondhand smoke increases cervical cancer risk by 40% in nonsmoking women

Statistic 41

Exposure to secondhand smoke raises breast cancer risk by 30% in never-smoking women

Statistic 42

Secondhand smoke linked to increased stomach cancer risk with OR 1.44

Statistic 43

Secondhand smoke exposure increases bladder cancer risk by 36% in nonsmokers

Statistic 44

Parental smoking increases childhood brain tumor risk by 50%

Statistic 45

Secondhand smoke elevates colorectal cancer risk by 20%

Statistic 46

Secondhand smoke causes DNA damage in nonsmokers leading to cancer mutations

Statistic 47

Secondhand smoke increases pancreatic cancer risk by 40% in heavy exposure

Statistic 48

Secondhand smoke linked to lymphoma with relative risk 1.2

Statistic 49

Exposure raises leukemia risk in adults by 20%

Statistic 50

Secondhand smoke increases prostate cancer risk by 25% in nonsmokers

Statistic 51

Secondhand smoke elevates endometrial cancer risk by 30%

Statistic 52

Secondhand smoke causes oral cancer risk increase of 50% in nonsmokers

Statistic 53

Secondhand smoke linked to multiple myeloma with OR 1.3

Statistic 54

Secondhand smoke exposure increases liver cancer risk by 15%

Statistic 55

Secondhand smoke raises ovarian cancer risk by 25% in nonsmokers

Statistic 56

Secondhand smoke causes coronary heart disease risk increase of 25-30% in nonsmokers

Statistic 57

Secondhand smoke exposure triggers acute myocardial infarction with 30% risk increase

Statistic 58

Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have 20-30% higher stroke risk

Statistic 59

Secondhand smoke causes 34,000 annual coronary heart disease deaths in US nonsmokers

Statistic 60

Secondhand smoke induces platelet aggregation increasing thrombosis by 25%

Statistic 61

Exposure to secondhand smoke raises blood pressure by 7 mmHg systolic in nonsmokers

Statistic 62

Secondhand smoke doubles heart attack risk in nonsmoking spouses

Statistic 63

Secondhand smoke exposure increases aortic stiffness by 20% in adults

Statistic 64

Nonsmokers with secondhand smoke exposure have 40% higher atherosclerosis risk

Statistic 65

Secondhand smoke elevates fibrinogen levels by 15% promoting clotting

Statistic 66

Secondhand smoke causes endothelial dysfunction reducing flow-mediated dilation by 40%

Statistic 67

Workplace secondhand smoke increases coronary events by 24%

Statistic 68

Secondhand smoke raises homocysteine levels by 10% in nonsmokers

Statistic 69

Exposure leads to 30% increase in ventricular arrhythmias risk

Statistic 70

Secondhand smoke increases carotid intima-media thickness by 0.03 mm

Statistic 71

Nonsmokers exposed have 50% higher risk of acute coronary syndrome

Statistic 72

Secondhand smoke elevates oxidized LDL by 20%

Statistic 73

Secondhand smoke exposure triples sudden cardiac death risk

Statistic 74

Secondhand smoke causes 28% increase in atrial fibrillation incidence

Statistic 75

Exposure increases peripheral artery disease risk by 40%

Statistic 76

Secondhand smoke raises C-reactive protein by 35% indicating CV inflammation

Statistic 77

Secondhand smoke leads to 25% higher prevalence of hypertension in nonsmokers

Statistic 78

Secondhand smoke exposure increases heart failure risk by 19%

Statistic 79

Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 50% higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Statistic 80

Secondhand smoke increases children's risk of lower respiratory infections by 50-100%

Statistic 81

Infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy have 2-4 times higher SIDS risk, compounded by postnatal exposure

Statistic 82

Secondhand smoke causes 150,000-300,000 annual lower respiratory tract infections in US children under 18 months

Statistic 83

Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 20-30% higher asthma attack rates

Statistic 84

Secondhand smoke doubles the risk of middle ear infections in children

Statistic 85

Prenatal and postnatal secondhand smoke exposure increases childhood asthma risk by 30%

Statistic 86

Children in smoking households have 40% higher bronchitis and pneumonia rates

Statistic 87

Secondhand smoke exposure leads to 24,000-72,000 annual hospitalizations for respiratory infections in US infants

Statistic 88

Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 1.6 times higher risk of developing asthma by age 5

Statistic 89

Secondhand smoke reduces lung function growth in children by 10-20%

Statistic 90

Infants exposed to secondhand smoke have 50% increased apnea risk

Statistic 91

Secondhand smoke increases childhood cancer risk, specifically leukemia by 20%

Statistic 92

Children of smokers have twice the rate of chronic cough and phlegm production

Statistic 93

Secondhand smoke exposure triples childhood risk of invasive meningococcal disease

Statistic 94

Prenatal secondhand smoke exposure increases low birth weight risk by 20%

Statistic 95

Secondhand smoke causes 430,000 doctor visits yearly for ear infections in US children

Statistic 96

Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 30% higher risk of behavior problems like ADHD

Statistic 97

Secondhand smoke increases preterm delivery risk by 20% in nonsmoking mothers exposed

Statistic 98

Childhood exposure to secondhand smoke elevates lifelong cardiovascular risk by 25%

Statistic 99

Secondhand smoke doubles childhood risk of cryptorchidism in boys

Statistic 100

Infants in smoking homes have 1.5 times higher hospitalization for RSV infections

Statistic 101

Secondhand smoke exposure increases childhood obesity risk by 15%

Statistic 102

Children exposed show 40% higher wheezing episodes under age 3

Statistic 103

Secondhand smoke raises childhood dental caries risk by 30%

Statistic 104

Exposure leads to 20% increase in childhood sleep disturbances

Statistic 105

Secondhand smoke increases childhood eczema risk by 25%

Statistic 106

37% of US children aged 3-11 are exposed to secondhand smoke at home

Statistic 107

25% of US adults report secondhand smoke exposure in past 7 days

Statistic 108

Globally, 1.2 billion non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home

Statistic 109

40% of children worldwide exposed to secondhand smoke

Statistic 110

In US, secondhand smoke exposure declined 66% from 1988-2012 in nonsmokers

Statistic 111

58 million nonsmokers in US exposed to secondhand smoke in 2011-2012

Statistic 112

Secondhand smoke levels in homes 3-8 times higher than outdoor air

Statistic 113

21% of US nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke via air in 2011-12

Statistic 114

In Europe, 19% of adults exposed to secondhand smoke at work

Statistic 115

US homes with smokers have nicotine levels 10 times EPA outdoor standard

Statistic 116

33% of US children live with smoker, increasing exposure risk

Statistic 117

Secondhand smoke exposure in bars pre-ban was 4-10 times outdoor PM2.5

Statistic 118

Globally, 828,000 deaths from secondhand smoke in 2016

Statistic 119

In low-income countries, 44% women exposed to SHS at home

Statistic 120

US nonsmoker cotinine levels dropped 90% since 1991 due to policies

Statistic 121

12% of US children have detectable cotinine from SHS exposure

Statistic 122

Secondhand smoke in cars reaches concentrations 10x higher than homes

Statistic 123

In India, 37% children exposed to SHS at home

Statistic 124

Post-smoke-free laws, workplace SHS exposure fell 89% in US

Statistic 125

83% of world population protected by some smoke-free laws

Statistic 126

Secondhand smoke biomarkers in 15% of US nonsmokers post-2012

Statistic 127

In China, 52% nonsmokers exposed to SHS in 2018 survey

Statistic 128

US hospitality workers had 6x higher SHS before bans

Statistic 129

Multi-unit housing exposes 28% US residents to SHS infiltration

Statistic 130

Secondhand smoke exposure in US declined to 12.2% in adults 2015-18

Statistic 131

40 million US youth exposed to SHS in past week per 2019 data

Statistic 132

Secondhand smoke causes 41,000 deaths yearly in US nonsmokers

Statistic 133

Globally, secondhand smoke kills 1.3 million people annually

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
While you may have never lit a cigarette, the staggering 41,000 deaths annually from secondhand smoke prove that simply sharing the air can be a deadly gamble with your health.

Key Takeaways

  • Secondhand smoke exposure causes more than 41,000 deaths per year among nonsmoking adults from heart disease and lung cancer
  • Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 25-30% increased risk of coronary heart disease
  • Secondhand smoke increases the risk of stroke by 20-30% in nonsmokers
  • Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 50% higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  • Secondhand smoke increases children's risk of lower respiratory infections by 50-100%
  • Infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy have 2-4 times higher SIDS risk, compounded by postnatal exposure
  • Secondhand smoke causes about 20% of lung cancers in nonsmokers, primarily adenocarcinoma
  • Long-term secondhand smoke exposure increases lung cancer risk by 22% in never-smokers
  • Secondhand smoke classified as Group 1 carcinogen by IARC
  • Secondhand smoke causes coronary heart disease risk increase of 25-30% in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke exposure triggers acute myocardial infarction with 30% risk increase
  • Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have 20-30% higher stroke risk
  • 37% of US children aged 3-11 are exposed to secondhand smoke at home
  • 25% of US adults report secondhand smoke exposure in past 7 days
  • Globally, 1.2 billion non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home

Secondhand smoke causes tens of thousands of preventable deaths every year.

Adult Health Risks

  • Secondhand smoke exposure causes more than 41,000 deaths per year among nonsmoking adults from heart disease and lung cancer
  • Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 25-30% increased risk of coronary heart disease
  • Secondhand smoke increases the risk of stroke by 20-30% in nonsmokers
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke raises the risk of lung cancer by 20-30% in nonsmoking adults
  • Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, hundreds toxic and about 70 that cause cancer, affecting adult respiratory health
  • Nonsmokers living with a smoker have 30% higher risk of heart disease death
  • Secondhand smoke exposure leads to 34,000 premature deaths annually from coronary heart disease in US nonsmokers
  • Adults exposed to secondhand smoke show 15-20% reduced lung function over time
  • Secondhand smoke increases adult asthma exacerbations by 40%
  • Nonsmoking spouses of smokers have 91% higher lung cancer risk if exposed long-term
  • Secondhand smoke causes 7,300 lung cancer deaths yearly in US nonsmokers
  • Adult exposure to secondhand smoke elevates blood pressure by 5-10 mmHg acutely
  • Secondhand smoke doubles the risk of heart attacks in nonsmokers
  • Nonsmokers with workplace secondhand smoke exposure have 24% higher coronary heart disease risk
  • Secondhand smoke increases adult COPD risk by 50% in heavy exposure scenarios
  • Adults exposed to secondhand smoke have 1.3 times higher risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Secondhand smoke exposure causes endothelial dysfunction in adults, reducing artery dilation by 20%
  • Nonsmoking adults in homes with smokers show 25% higher hospitalization rates for heart disease
  • Secondhand smoke leads to 15% increase in adult rheumatoid arthritis risk
  • Long-term secondhand smoke exposure in adults increases dementia risk by 30%
  • Secondhand smoke exposure triples the risk of sudden cardiac death in nonsmoking adults
  • Adults with secondhand smoke exposure have 40% higher risk of peripheral artery disease
  • Secondhand smoke causes 20% increase in adult sinusitis incidence
  • Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke exhibit 35% higher C-reactive protein levels indicating inflammation
  • Secondhand smoke increases adult risk of severe periodontitis by 1.5 times
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke in adults leads to 28% higher risk of atrial fibrillation
  • Secondhand smoke exposure causes a 22% increase in adult breast cancer risk among never-smokers
  • Nonsmoking adults with high secondhand smoke exposure have 50% higher carotid plaque prevalence
  • Secondhand smoke doubles adult risk of acoustic neuroma tumors
  • Adults exposed to secondhand smoke show 18% higher incidence of chronic rhinosinusitis

Adult Health Risks Interpretation

It is statistically unwise to treat a public space like a private ashtray, given that secondhand smoke is a carcinogenic, cardiac-arresting chemical cocktail served involuntarily to nearby lungs with a side of significantly higher risks for death, disease, and general bodily revolt.

Cancer Risks

  • Secondhand smoke causes about 20% of lung cancers in nonsmokers, primarily adenocarcinoma
  • Long-term secondhand smoke exposure increases lung cancer risk by 22% in never-smokers
  • Secondhand smoke classified as Group 1 carcinogen by IARC
  • Spousal secondhand smoke exposure raises lung cancer odds ratio to 1.24
  • Secondhand smoke contains 70 carcinogens including benzene, formaldehyde
  • Workplace secondhand smoke exposure increases lung cancer risk by 16%
  • Secondhand smoke linked to 7,300 lung cancer deaths annually in US nonsmokers
  • Childhood secondhand smoke exposure triples adult lung cancer risk later in life
  • Secondhand smoke elevates nasal sinus cancer risk by 100% in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke increases cervical cancer risk by 40% in nonsmoking women
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke raises breast cancer risk by 30% in never-smoking women
  • Secondhand smoke linked to increased stomach cancer risk with OR 1.44
  • Secondhand smoke exposure increases bladder cancer risk by 36% in nonsmokers
  • Parental smoking increases childhood brain tumor risk by 50%
  • Secondhand smoke elevates colorectal cancer risk by 20%
  • Secondhand smoke causes DNA damage in nonsmokers leading to cancer mutations
  • Secondhand smoke increases pancreatic cancer risk by 40% in heavy exposure
  • Secondhand smoke linked to lymphoma with relative risk 1.2
  • Exposure raises leukemia risk in adults by 20%
  • Secondhand smoke increases prostate cancer risk by 25% in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke elevates endometrial cancer risk by 30%
  • Secondhand smoke causes oral cancer risk increase of 50% in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke linked to multiple myeloma with OR 1.3
  • Secondhand smoke exposure increases liver cancer risk by 15%
  • Secondhand smoke raises ovarian cancer risk by 25% in nonsmokers

Cancer Risks Interpretation

When you consider that secondhand smoke not only treats non-smokers to a 20-30% higher chance of various cancers but also delivers this unwelcome gift in the form of 70 carcinogens, it's clear that choosing not to smoke yourself only solves half the problem—avoiding other people's smoke solves the other, and statistically significant, half.

Cardiovascular Risks

  • Secondhand smoke causes coronary heart disease risk increase of 25-30% in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke exposure triggers acute myocardial infarction with 30% risk increase
  • Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have 20-30% higher stroke risk
  • Secondhand smoke causes 34,000 annual coronary heart disease deaths in US nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke induces platelet aggregation increasing thrombosis by 25%
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke raises blood pressure by 7 mmHg systolic in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke doubles heart attack risk in nonsmoking spouses
  • Secondhand smoke exposure increases aortic stiffness by 20% in adults
  • Nonsmokers with secondhand smoke exposure have 40% higher atherosclerosis risk
  • Secondhand smoke elevates fibrinogen levels by 15% promoting clotting
  • Secondhand smoke causes endothelial dysfunction reducing flow-mediated dilation by 40%
  • Workplace secondhand smoke increases coronary events by 24%
  • Secondhand smoke raises homocysteine levels by 10% in nonsmokers
  • Exposure leads to 30% increase in ventricular arrhythmias risk
  • Secondhand smoke increases carotid intima-media thickness by 0.03 mm
  • Nonsmokers exposed have 50% higher risk of acute coronary syndrome
  • Secondhand smoke elevates oxidized LDL by 20%
  • Secondhand smoke exposure triples sudden cardiac death risk
  • Secondhand smoke causes 28% increase in atrial fibrillation incidence
  • Exposure increases peripheral artery disease risk by 40%
  • Secondhand smoke raises C-reactive protein by 35% indicating CV inflammation
  • Secondhand smoke leads to 25% higher prevalence of hypertension in nonsmokers
  • Secondhand smoke exposure increases heart failure risk by 19%

Cardiovascular Risks Interpretation

While the smoker chooses their gamble, secondhand smoke forces the bystander to play a rigged game where the house—your arteries, heart, and blood—always wins, with statistics reading like a gruesome victory lap.

Child Health Risks

  • Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 50% higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  • Secondhand smoke increases children's risk of lower respiratory infections by 50-100%
  • Infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy have 2-4 times higher SIDS risk, compounded by postnatal exposure
  • Secondhand smoke causes 150,000-300,000 annual lower respiratory tract infections in US children under 18 months
  • Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 20-30% higher asthma attack rates
  • Secondhand smoke doubles the risk of middle ear infections in children
  • Prenatal and postnatal secondhand smoke exposure increases childhood asthma risk by 30%
  • Children in smoking households have 40% higher bronchitis and pneumonia rates
  • Secondhand smoke exposure leads to 24,000-72,000 annual hospitalizations for respiratory infections in US infants
  • Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 1.6 times higher risk of developing asthma by age 5
  • Secondhand smoke reduces lung function growth in children by 10-20%
  • Infants exposed to secondhand smoke have 50% increased apnea risk
  • Secondhand smoke increases childhood cancer risk, specifically leukemia by 20%
  • Children of smokers have twice the rate of chronic cough and phlegm production
  • Secondhand smoke exposure triples childhood risk of invasive meningococcal disease
  • Prenatal secondhand smoke exposure increases low birth weight risk by 20%
  • Secondhand smoke causes 430,000 doctor visits yearly for ear infections in US children
  • Children exposed to secondhand smoke have 30% higher risk of behavior problems like ADHD
  • Secondhand smoke increases preterm delivery risk by 20% in nonsmoking mothers exposed
  • Childhood exposure to secondhand smoke elevates lifelong cardiovascular risk by 25%
  • Secondhand smoke doubles childhood risk of cryptorchidism in boys
  • Infants in smoking homes have 1.5 times higher hospitalization for RSV infections
  • Secondhand smoke exposure increases childhood obesity risk by 15%
  • Children exposed show 40% higher wheezing episodes under age 3
  • Secondhand smoke raises childhood dental caries risk by 30%
  • Exposure leads to 20% increase in childhood sleep disturbances
  • Secondhand smoke increases childhood eczema risk by 25%

Child Health Risks Interpretation

Every statistic here is essentially a tiny, toxic "Get Well Soon" balloon tied to a child's wrist by someone smoking nearby.

Exposure Prevalence

  • 37% of US children aged 3-11 are exposed to secondhand smoke at home
  • 25% of US adults report secondhand smoke exposure in past 7 days
  • Globally, 1.2 billion non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home
  • 40% of children worldwide exposed to secondhand smoke
  • In US, secondhand smoke exposure declined 66% from 1988-2012 in nonsmokers
  • 58 million nonsmokers in US exposed to secondhand smoke in 2011-2012
  • Secondhand smoke levels in homes 3-8 times higher than outdoor air
  • 21% of US nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke via air in 2011-12
  • In Europe, 19% of adults exposed to secondhand smoke at work
  • US homes with smokers have nicotine levels 10 times EPA outdoor standard
  • 33% of US children live with smoker, increasing exposure risk
  • Secondhand smoke exposure in bars pre-ban was 4-10 times outdoor PM2.5
  • Globally, 828,000 deaths from secondhand smoke in 2016
  • In low-income countries, 44% women exposed to SHS at home
  • US nonsmoker cotinine levels dropped 90% since 1991 due to policies
  • 12% of US children have detectable cotinine from SHS exposure
  • Secondhand smoke in cars reaches concentrations 10x higher than homes
  • In India, 37% children exposed to SHS at home
  • Post-smoke-free laws, workplace SHS exposure fell 89% in US
  • 83% of world population protected by some smoke-free laws
  • Secondhand smoke biomarkers in 15% of US nonsmokers post-2012
  • In China, 52% nonsmokers exposed to SHS in 2018 survey
  • US hospitality workers had 6x higher SHS before bans
  • Multi-unit housing exposes 28% US residents to SHS infiltration
  • Secondhand smoke exposure in US declined to 12.2% in adults 2015-18
  • 40 million US youth exposed to SHS in past week per 2019 data
  • Secondhand smoke causes 41,000 deaths yearly in US nonsmokers
  • Globally, secondhand smoke kills 1.3 million people annually

Exposure Prevalence Interpretation

It is an epidemic of politeness, where we quietly accept a substance that annually kills more people globally than many wars do, all for the sake of not telling a stranger—or a family member—to please take their toxic cloud elsewhere.