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Effects of passive smoking on health

  • Page | Last updated: 07 Sep 2026
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

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.'
  • '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).'
  • '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.'
  • '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 […].'
  • '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.'
  • '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.'

 

More information and links
Originally Published | Last Updated

12 Mar 2021 | 07 Sep 2026

Knowledge service | MetadataHealth Promotion and Disease Prevention | Risk factors of non-communicable diseases | Tobacco and smoking
Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET)health policy
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