How is tobacco smoke dangerous?
Both first-hand and second-hand smoke creates a risk for developing cancer due to the nicotine and smoke carcinogens. There are two sources of smoke from cigarette smokers; the smoke they exhale (secondhand) and the smoke that is released off the burning cigarette, cigar or pipe (sidestream). Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes, but not the dangers associated with sidestream smoke. It is actually sidestream smoke that you should be more cautious of because it has a higher concentration of carcinogens than either secondhand smoke or the smoke that a smoker inhales through a cigarette filter! Both secondhand and sidestream smoke together are also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and can be recognized easily by its distinctive odor. ETS contaminates the air and is retained in clothing, curtains and furniture. While ETS can unpleasant, annoying, and irritating to the eyes and nose, it more importantly represents a dangerous health hazard. Over 4,000 differe
