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Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway

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  • Page | Last updated: 01 Apr 2021

Effects of passive smoking on health

Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Effects of passive smoking on health

Passive smoking is the exposure to second- or third-hand smoke, or the exposure in utero to maternal blood that contains contaminants of tobacco smoking products.

General/multiple health outcomes
  • 'There is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure and a completely smoke-free environment is the only way to protect non-smokers.'

Cardiovascular disease
  • 'Tobacco avoidance is critically important for ASCVD [atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease] prevention.'
HHS 2006 (pdf), HHS 2014 (pdf)
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and increased risk of stroke.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and increased risks of coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality among both men and women.'

Cancer
  • 'There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of second-hand tobacco smoke.'
  • 'Second-hand tobacco smoke causes cancer of the lung. Also, a positive association has been observed between exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and cancers of the larynx and the pharynx.'
  • 'Second-hand tobacco smoke is carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).'
HHS 2006 (pdf), HHS 2014 (pdf)
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and lung cancer among lifetime nonsmokers. This conclusion extends to all secondhand smoke exposure, regardless of location.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and odor annoyance, and between secondhand smoke exposure and nasal irritation.'

Respiratory health
  • 'Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of […] more severe asthma.‘'
  • 'Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of […], acute respiratory infections, […]. Parental smoking causes respiratory symptoms […] in children.'
  • 'Parental smoking causes respiratory symptoms and slows lung growth in children.'
HHS 2006 (pdf)
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between parental smoking and ever having asthma among children of school age.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between parental smoking and cough, phlegm, wheeze, and breathlessness among children of school age; and between parental smoking and the onset of wheeze illnesses in early childhood.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure from parental smoking and lower respiratory illnesses in infants and children.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke after birth and a lower level of lung function during childhood.'

Middle ear disease
  • 'Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of […], ear problems […].'
HHS 2006 (pdf)
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between parental smoking and middle ear disease in children including acute and recurrent otitis media and chronic middle ear effusion.'

Reproductive and Neonatal conditions
  • 'Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.'
HHS 2004 (pdf), HHS 2006 (pdf)
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between sudden infant death syndrome and maternal smoking during and after pregnancy.’'
  • 'Nicotine increases the risk of preterm delivery.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between maternal active smoking and preterm delivery and shortened gestation; maternal active smoking and a reduced risk for preeclampsia; maternal active smoking and fetal growth restriction and low birth weight; maternal active smoking and ectopic pregnancy; maternal active smoking and premature rupture of the membranes, placenta previa, and placental abruption.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and a reduction of lung function in infants; between maternal smoking during pregnancy and persistent adverse effects on lung function across childhood.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between maternal smoking in early pregnancy and orofacial clefts.'
  • 'Prenatal tobacco exposure affects the structure and function of the lung.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between maternal exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy and a small reduction in birth weight.'
  • 'The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and sudden infant death syndrome.'
  • 'Use of tobacco products while pregnant can lead to miscarriage, low birth weight, stillbirth, learning and behavior problems.'

Infectious disease
  • 'Passive or active exposure to tobacco smoke is significantly associated with tuberculous infection and tuberculosis disease. Active smoking is significantly associated with recurrent tuberculosis and tuberculosis mortality.'