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When a smoker lights up, he isn¡¯t the only one in danger. Anyone close enough to inhale his smoke is exposed to tobacco¡¯s many health risks¡ªincluding cancer.

¡°The definition of secondhand smoke is basically inhaling the smoke from someone else¡¯s cigarette,¡± says Maher Karam-Hage, M.D., associate medical director of the Tobacco Treatment Program at MD Anderson.

While some health experts used to debate the risks associated with secondhand smoke, Karam-Hage says that debate has ended. ¡°The evidence of harm is quite solid,¡± he says. ¡°If you live or work around someone who smokes, you¡¯re exposed.¡±

In fact, the 2.5 million nonsmokers have died from secondhand smoke since 1964.

Apart from cancer, Karam-Hage says heart disease and even ear infections among children are very real risks. A concludes that, between 2005 and 2009, roughly 34,000 people died of heart disease caused by secondhand smoke.

Those health risks rise the more you¡¯re around a smoker, and the smaller and more enclosed a space you share. Even if a window is open, Karam-Hage says those near a lit cigarette are breathing in toxic fumes.

A New Concern

Even if the smoker you live or work with doesn¡¯t light up when you¡¯re in the room, the remnants of their cigarette habit may still put your health at risk.

¡°The tar and oils that person is puffing out are sticking to upholstery and furniture and things like that, which leaves the smell,¡± Karam-Hage says.

Those microscopic smoke particles that leave behind a strong tobacco odor also may have health impacts. ¡°This is referred to as thirdhand smoke,¡± he says. And while the precise dangers aren¡¯t yet known, Karam-Hage says there¡¯s reason for concern.

¡°Children playing on carpet or on furniture may be exposed to all of these smoke chemicals,¡± he explains. ¡°We don¡¯t know the health impacts of that yet. But if you¡¯re smelling something, you¡¯re exposed to something potentially hazardous.¡±

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

The most effective step also is the most obvious one: If you¡¯re a smoker, quit. And if someone you spend time with smokes, ask him or her to quit.

If both you and a loved one smoke, Karam-Hage says that compounds your risk.

¡°It can be very tough to quit if you live with someone who smokes,¡± he says. ¡°But if you can agree to quit together and encourage each other, that can be very helpful.¡±

Karam-Hage also warns smokers that smoking near an open window isn¡¯t a good option. ¡°Smoke is pervasive and it flows very quickly,¡± he says. ¡°If you¡¯re smoking inside with a window open, much of it won¡¯t leave the room.¡±

He says smoking outdoors near an open window also can result in smoke wafting back inside where it could pose a risk to others.

Smoking in an automobile is arguably the worst place you can light up, he adds. ¡°It¡¯s such a closed space that you¡¯re exposed to your own firsthand, secondhand and thirdhand smoke. So are all the people who share the car with you.¡±

Clean Up Your Act

If you or whoever used to smoke indoors has quit, the lingering toxins and chemicals could still pose a health risk.

To reduce that risk, Karam-Hage offers the following tips:

• Have your carpets, furniture or car upholstery professionally cleaned to remove residual smoke or toxins.
• Clean all air ducts and replace air conditioning filters in your home or car.
• Wash or replace curtains, blankets and other fabrics that collect tar and other chemicals. Replace the floor mats in your car.
• Wash or repaint your walls and ceiling to remove or control old toxins.

If someone is smoking near you, there are ways to request that they stop . But Karam-Hage says ongoing exposure is the greatest danger when it comes to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. ¡°If we¡¯re living with, driving with or working with someone who is smoking indoors, everyone¡¯s health is at risk.¡±

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