Information
September 2003
The Facts: Second-Hand Smoke
- Second-hand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), comes from smoldering
cigarettes, cigars or pipes, as well as from exhaled smoke.
- Breathing second-hand smoke is smoking involuntarily.
- There is no known safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. A non-smoker in a smoky
room is inhaling the same chemicals as the smoker. Second-hand smoke contains more than
4,000 chemicals, including 50 known carcinogens such as arsenic, benzene, lead, formaldehyde,
carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrogen cyanide.
- Second-hand smoke can cause sore throats, croup, asthma, bronchitis, middle ear infections,
reduced lung function, pneumonia, heart disease, leukemia and other cancers.
- It is estimated that exposure to second-hand smoke causes over 1,000 deaths per year
in Canada.
- Air filters, air purifiers and ventilation systems are not enough to protect from second-hand
smoke. In fact, even after a smoker leaves a room, chemicals from the second-hand smoke
remain behind in the air, on food, furnishings, drapes and skin.
- Second-hand smoke is an issue for all Canadians. The 1989 Non-Smokers' Health Act prohibits
smoking in federal and federally regulated workplaces, on inter-provincial transit and
on airplanes. Most provinces have enacted laws and bylaws that address the issue of second-hand
smoke in public places, and over 300 municipalities are currently at different stages
in the implementation of legislation around this issue. However there is no consistent
level of protection from one area to the next.
- Today there are over 11 million Canadians who work in industries where there is no
guarantee of protection from second-hand smoke.
- Public opinion polls show that 95% of Canadians believe second-hand smoke is a health
hazard; 69% support a ban on smoking in all public places; 88% believe it is important
for employers to provide a completely smoke-free environment for their employees; and
84% believe that all workers should have the right to a smoke-free workplace.
- An estimated 900,000 Canadian children under 12 are regularly exposed to SHS in the
home. Another 760,000 children ages 12-17 are also regularly exposed to tobacco smoke
in the home. This represents 27% of the population of 12-17 year old children.
- For youth ages 13-18, exposure to second-hand smoke can result in: increased prevalence
and exacerbation of asthma, respiratory problems, middle ear infections in younger children
(0-4), increased risk of cardiovascular problems (reduced oxygen transport, reduced HDL
cholesterol) and small increased risk of cancer.
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