DID YOU KNOW?
Smoking during pregnancy results in more than 1,000 infant deaths in the U.S. every year. [1] And you don’t have to be the one holding the cigarette — secondhand smoke causes thousands of preventable illnesses and deaths annually.
KNOW THE RISK
- Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from a burning cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. [1]
- It contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic, and about 70 are known to cause cancer. [1]
- Exposure causes many of the same health risks as direct smoking, including heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke — even in nonsmokers. [1]
MITIGATE THE RISK
1. Eliminate Indoor Smoking
- Do not allow anyone to smoke inside your home or near entrances. Ventilation and air purifiers do not eliminate secondhand smoke exposure. [1]
2. Keep Cars Smoke-Free
- Never allow smoking in your car — even with windows down. Smoke residues linger and affect air quality long after the cigarette is gone.
3. Protect Pregnant Women and Children
- Do not smoke during pregnancy, and avoid exposing children or infants to secondhand smoke at any time. [1]
SECONDHAND SMOKE SAFETY REMINDER
You don’t have to be a smoker to suffer the consequences of tobacco. Secondhand smoke is a serious health threat, especially to children, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses. A smoke-free environment protects everyone.