SECOND HAND SMOKE

From the Tobacco Free Florida Campaign

Second-hand smoke is dangerous to non-smokers:
• Second-hand smoke speeds up the heart rate, raises blood pressure and doubles the amount of deadly carbon monoxide in a non-smoker’s blood.
• Second-hand smoke contains 250 chemicals known to be toxic, including more than 50 that can cause cancer.
• Second-hand smoke causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Second-hand smoke can also irritate the lungs, leading to coughing, excessive phlegm and chest discomfort.
• Nonsmokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke at home or work increase their heart disease risk by 25–30% and their lung cancer risk by 20–30%.
• Breathing second-hand smoke has immediate harmful effects on the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk of heart attack. People who already have heart disease are at especially high risk.
• More than 126 million non-smoking Americans continue to be exposed to second- hand smoke in homes, vehicles, workplaces, and public places. Most exposure to tobacco smoke occurs in homes and workplaces.
• There is no risk-free level of second-hand smoke exposure. Even brief exposure can be dangerous.

Second-hand smoke is deadly:
• Second-hand smoke has been estimated to cause 38,000 deaths per year.
• Second-hand smoke causes about 3,400 deaths each year from lung cancer in non- smokers.

Second-hand smoke is especially harmful to children:
• Almost 60% of U.S. children aged 3–11 years—or almost 22 million children—are exposed to second-hand smoke.
• About 25% of children aged 3–11 years live with at least one smoker, compared to only about 7% of nonsmoking adults.
• There are an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 cases every year of infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and children under 18 months of age who breathe second-hand smoke.
• Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at increased risk for bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

 Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention