What is third-hand smoke? How does it affect children?

according to World Health Organization“he tobacco More than 8 million people die each year, 1.3 million of whom are non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. ” Even, “In 2020, 22.3% of the world’s population used tobacco: 36.7% of men and 7.8% of women. “

the fact is There are three types of cigarette smoke.of smoke first hand informationis a smoker smoker. That is, it’s what smokers inhale.one of them second handAt the same time, it is a factor that affects people who are close to the smoker or in the same environment, also known as “passive smoker”. But now people know that in addition, there is another thirdhand smoke. This must be mentioned as it is particularly important for children as people exposed to any form of smoke are more likely to develop otitis media, have less defenses, have more infections and have more health problems.

he Tobacco smoke (HT) It consists of a mixture of smoke The smoker’s exhaled gas (primary smoke) and the smoke emitted light cigarette (secondary smoke), explains Argentina’s Ministry of Health. Because the latter “has a higher concentration of toxins because it doesn’t go through any type of filter and goes directly into the air.”

so he secondhand smokeAs I told you, a person who is in such a space someone is smoking. “Include More than 7,000 toxic substances and about 70 carcinogens” because “it is classified as a Class A carcinogen, that is, they do not meet the minimum exposure levels safe for health,” they note in Health Portfolio.

“About 1.3 million people die from secondhand smoke every year.. All of these deaths were completely preventable,” the World Health Organization said. People exposed “were at risk of death from heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer,” they noted. Also suffering from “serious cardiovascular and respiratory disease, including ischemic heart disease and cancer.” “Lungs.”

Now, equally important Beware of third-hand smokeespecially in a car. The problem is, even though the person wasn’t smoking at the time, the smoke still stayed in the car, Contains nearly 50 carcinogensthese substances can cause cancer and will not go away in any way.

One should never get in a car with someone who smokes, but one should also not get in a car with someone who smokes in the car.We should try to avoid it because Thirdhand smoke will not go away for a long time.

In addition, if you want to buy a second-hand car, in addition to checking the condition of the car, you should also check whether the previous driver smoked in the car, because Substances remaining in them cannot be effectively eliminated.

he thirdhand smoke it is an invisible mixture gases and particles leftover sticks to hair and clothes From smokers to furniture, carpets or upholstery or other objects Smoker after putting out cigarette.

These include heavy metals, carcinogens, and even radioactive materials, which can remain for months after the smoking room is ventilated. Young children are most harmed by such fumes: they are exposed to or ingest these substances, especially when they crawl on the floor or play.

I would also like to remind you of some aspects:

– Exposure to tobacco smoke is a preventable cause of illness and death in smokers and non-smokers.

– Exposure to smoke can cause Immediate effect (irritation to eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, headache, nausea, and dizziness) Oatmeallong (Respiratory complications, different types of cancer – mainly lung cancer and cardiovascular disease).

– touch Secondhand smoke (HAT) Increases non-smokers’ risk of lung cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke by 20-30%.

– Children of parents who smoke double the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

– Children exposed to smoke develop chronic coughs, decreased lung capacity, and more episodes of asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis media. In addition to a greater likelihood of nicotine addiction in adolescence, there are also higher rates of tooth decay, food allergies, skin problems, and cancer in adulthood.

*Dr. Alberto Cormillot (MN 24,518) is a renowned Argentinian obesity physician, health educator, author, and lecturer. He founded and headed the nutrition and health clinics that bear his name, the Diet Club, the ALCO Foundation (Anonymous Combatants Against Obesity) and the Argentine Institute of Nutrition, where he advised various industries on the development of diet and health products.