secondhanddangers
Take Action Today
Take Action Today
CIGARETTE
MARIJUANA
VAPE
CIGARILLO
HOOKAH
CIGARETTE
MARIJUANA
VAPE
CIGARILLO
HOOKAH
CIGARETTE
MARIJUANA
VAPE
CIGARILLO
HOOKAH

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.*

man smoking
man smoking

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.*

Children playing with balloons
Children playing with balloons

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.*

Families at a park surrounded by balloons
Families at a park surrounded by balloons

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.*

Man watching TV sat on a couch
Man watching TV sat on a couch

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.

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  

Sincerely,

Additional resources to take action

Protect your familyExposure to all types of secondhand smoke is dangerous. Get the resources and information you need to stay safe and protected at all times.
California leads the way with smokefree spacesExtraordinary progress has been made in the fight for smokefree air, but the rise in vape and marijuana use means there’s more we must do.