Secondhand Smoke Is Harmful

THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE

Select from the harms below to explore how secondhand smoke can lead to some severe health consequences.

There are 70 cancer-causing chemicals in secondhand cigarette smoke.*

Secondhand smoke from cigars, cigarillos, and cigarettes all contain cancer-causing chemicals like lead and benzene.*

Secondhand marijuana smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals like cadmium and chromium.*

Secondhand vape contains cancer-causing chemicals like formaldehyde and nickel.*

Secondhand hookah smoke contains several toxic chemicals known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers.*

Secondhand smoke from cigarettes and cigarillos can cause lung disease.*

Children with asthma exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke can have more frequent and more severe asthma attacks.*

Childhood secondhand smoke exposure is associated with lung disease in adulthood.*

Secondhand vape contains high concentrations of fine particles. Breathing in fine particles can worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma.*

Secondhand vape contains fine and ultrafine particles, which can travel deep into the lungs and lead to tissue inflammation.*

Secondhand smoke exposure delivers enough nicotine to the brain to alter its function.*

Children exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke have detectable levels of THC, a psychoactive chemical that can alter brain and nervous system function, in their system.*

Secondhand smoke from cigarettes and cigarillos can cause strokes in nonsmokers.*

Secondhand hookah smoke contains toxic agents that can cause clogged arteries, which can lead to stroke.*

Secondhand smoke from cigarettes and cigarillos can cause heart disease.*

Emerging science suggests that secondhand marijuana smoke can harden and narrow the arteries, which can lead to heart attack.*

Secondhand hookah smoke contains toxic chemicals that can cause clogged arteries, which can lead to heart attack.*

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TAKE ACTION TODAY

Stop secondhand smoke from putting your family and community at risk

View Quick Tips

Get tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from toxic secondhand smoke.

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Report a secondhand smoke issue

Contact your local health department to report a complaint about being exposed to secondhand smoke or to receive further assistance on an issue you’re experiencing.

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Tobacco Control and Prevention Program

Tel: (213) 351-7890

Email: tgallow@ph.lacounty.gov

Send an email, make a difference.

Reaching out to your mayor can create change. Enter your name, choose your city, and we’ll connect you to the right email to make sure your letter makes the most impact.

Dear Mayor,

My name is

from

I’m concerned about the rapidly escalating amount of toxic secondhand smoke in the air from vaping, marijuana, and cigarettes. It’s practically everywhere like in places such as public parks, restaurant patios, shopping centers, transit stops, recreational facilities, and sidewalks. The problem is only getting worse in large part to the rise of vaping and marijuana use in California. According to the California Adult Tobacco Survey, e-cigarette secondhand exposure increased more than 65% in two years, and marijuana secondhand smoke nearly doubled! As you may already know, the U.S. Surgeon General has said there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. This is the reason I’d like to encourage you to enact new and stricter smokefree policies in public and private spaces across our community. As a resident of our city, I believe everyone has the right to breathe clean air. Yet I find myself constantly exposed to toxic secondhand smoke. Any exposure can be harmful, especially to children, older adults, and people with a disability. The consequences of secondhand smoke exposure are severe and can lead to fatal health issues such as cancer, stroke, serious respiratory illnesses and heart disease. I’m asking for your leadership in addressing the rise of secondhand smoke in our city. You have my full support to limit the number of places people are allowed to smoke and I encourage the enforcement of such rules. I think we can all agree that it would make our city a healthier, more enjoyable place to call home.

Sincerely,

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