2024-11-08 12:08:00
In general, smokers are aware of the risks they run for their own health: lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc. But they are not always aware of the dangers to which they expose those around them. This passive smoking affects children, spouses, colleagues, friends and all person unknowingly inhaling toxic tobacco smoke.
Definition: what is passive smoking?
Passive smoking is caused byinhale, involuntarily, the smoke given off by one or more smokers.
Maximum risk at home or in the car
The risk reaches its maximum in closed and poorly ventilated places, such as a home or a car, and it increases with the duration of exposure. When the smoker exhales the smoke from his cigarette, the products resulting from combustion, gases or particles, disperse in the ambient air. They will then get on furniture and attach to the fabric of armchairs, curtains or clothing. “Our studies have shown that these particles can persist for several days,” notes Professor Isabella Annesi-Maesano, research director at Inserm, specialist in the epidemiology of allergic and respiratory diseases.
These chemical compounds can also interact with other indoor air pollutants (formaldehyde, ozone, etc.) and, through chemical reaction, form secondary pollutants just as dangerous as those from tobacco. Some are carcinogenic.
If they are evident in closed premises, you should know that the risks of passive smoking persist outsideFor example on a terrace or on a beach. “These risks were highlighted a few meters from a smoker by measuring nicotine, a marker of exposure to passive smoking, in stable conditions such as the absence of wind,” explains Professor Annesi-Maesano. This is, moreover, the reason why many beaches are prohibited for smokers.
How do you know if you are a passive smoker?
Babies and children are the first victims
The most vulnerable to passive smoking are the childrenTHE pregnant women et people weakened by illness. During pregnancy, harmful substances pass from the blood of the mother-to-be to that of the fetus. A recent study by Inserm, CNRS and the University of Grenoble (source 1) shows that the placenta keeps a trace of this intoxication, in the form of DNA alterations, even in women who have stopped smoking three months before becoming pregnant.
Pets also suffer from passive smoking
Pets are not safe from this passive smoking. Studies have shown that exposure to tobacco smoke can cause respiratory problems, weight gain and cancer in children. dogsTHE chats and even among goldfish very sensitive to nicotine and ammonia from tobacco. Cats that frequently lick their fur seem particularly at risk.
What are the risks for a passive smoker?
Fine particles and volatile organic compounds derived from tobacco penetrate very deeply into the body and will particularly affect the heart and lungs.
The same health consequences as tobacco
Consequences: the risk of developing lung cancer or cardiovascular disease is increased by 25% in a person exposed to passive smoking. Some studies also establish a link with other types of cancer (larynx, pancreas, etc.).
Smoking during pregnancy affects the growth of the fetus and significantly increases the risk of giving birth to a baby weighing less than 2.5 kg.
In newbornsthe risk of sudden infant death is doubled when one of the two parents is a smoker. The proportion is even higher if both parents smoke.
Later in childhoodthe entire ENT sphere is impacted by passive smoking. Thus, the risk of bronchitis increases by 72% and by 48% for ear infections.
Furthermore, numerous studies have shown that a child whose mother smoked has a increased risk of becoming asthmatic. “In the United Kingdom, a study even showed that this risk exists if the grandmother was a smoker, while the mother was not,” underlines the researcher.
Finally, a study presented in 2015 by Professor Annesi-Maesano and her team (source 2) showed that school-aged children, exposed to passive smoking before and after their birth, present more behavioral problems (withdrawal, agitation, etc.) than their little comrades. “Our hypothesis is that nicotine attacks the neuronal cells in formation,” she explains.
Ventilate widely, the best solution against passive smoking
Pour protect yourself from passive smokingventilation is the best solution. Windows must be opened wide, very regularly, to dilute harmful substances in the ambient air; without forgetting to clean all surfaces on which tobacco smoke is deposited.
THE air purifiers, devices supposed to filter pollutants are not enough to clean the atmosphere.
We are far from the mark in terms of efficiency. These devices fail to catch the ultrafine particles which are the most dangerous, estimates Professor Isabelle Annesi-Maesano, research director at Inserm, specialist in the epidemiology of allergic and respiratory diseases.
Passive smoking: protective laws for non-smokers
Since the Evin law of 1991, a succession of legislative measures has made it possible to better protect the population against the dangers of passive smoking.
Since 2007, smoking has been prohibited in all public places, cafes, restaurants, hotels, public transport and workplaces; Since 2015, smoking has also been prohibited in a vehicle in the presence of a minor child under 18 years old.
These measures have had an impact, but it still seems insufficient. According to data published by Public Health France in February 2020, 15.7% of adults declared in 2017 to have been exposed to tobacco smoke at their workplace. Workers are more affected by this passive smoking (27.4%) than managers and higher intellectual professions (6.4%).
Efforts are greater in the private sphere. If 52% of daily smokers smoked at home in 2014, there were only 37.9% in 2018. It seems that these smokers have become aware of the dangers of passive smoking for children since the frequency of smoking at home in households with a child under 4 years old fell from 31.6% in 2014 to 14.4% in 2018.
Passive smoking: a poorly estimated number of victims
The number of deaths attributable to passive smoking remains poorly evaluated. In 2002, a study gave a range going from a thousand people (taking only non-smokers who are victims of passive smoking) to 6,000 deaths per year (including smokers themselves affected by passive smoking), in France.
Beyond these very imprecise figures, Professor Annesi-Maesano recalls that at present more than 30% of French people smoke, which leads her to this conclusion: “the risk of contact with tobacco smoke remains pupil “.
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**Interview on Passive Smoking with Professor Isabella Annesi-Maesano**
**Date:** November 8, 2024
**Interviewer:** Sarah Thompson
**Alex Reed:** Professor Isabella Annesi-Maesano, Research Director at Inserm, Specialist in Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases
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**Sarah:** Thank you for joining us today, Professor Annesi-Maesano. Let’s start by defining passive smoking. How would you explain it to someone unfamiliar with the term?
**Professor Annesi-Maesano:** Thank you for having me, Sarah. Passive smoking refers to the involuntary inhalation of smoke emitted by others who are smoking. This second-hand smoke contains a complex mixture of harmful chemicals that can significantly impact the health of those exposed, particularly in enclosed spaces.
**Sarah:** You mentioned enclosed spaces. Can you elaborate on where the risks of passive smoking are the highest?
**Professor Annesi-Maesano:** Absolutely. The highest risks occur in closed and poorly ventilated areas, such as homes and cars. In such environments, the smoke can linger in the air for hours or even days, settling on surfaces and fabrics, making it difficult to eliminate the dangerous chemicals that accumulate.
**Sarah:** That’s very concerning, especially because children and vulnerable populations are most affected. What specific risks do they face?
**Professor Annesi-Maesano:** Yes, children, pregnant women, and individuals with existing health issues are at a heightened risk. For instance, exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy can lead to complications including low birth weight. For children, the effects are severe; they are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses, sudden infant death syndrome, and even behavioral issues later in life.
**Sarah:** It sounds like passive smoking can have profound, long-lasting effects. Are there any particular health outcomes you can highlight related to childhood exposure?
**Professor Annesi-Maesano:** Indeed, studies have shown that children exposed to passive smoke are at a significantly increased risk of developing conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and ear infections. Additionally, our research indicates that exposure to second-hand smoke can impact their neurological development, leading to behavioral problems.
**Sarah:** What steps can individuals take to minimize the risks associated with passive smoking, especially in household settings?
**Professor Annesi-Maesano:** The most effective solution is proper ventilation. It’s crucial to open windows frequently to dilute the harmful substances in the air. While air purifiers may seem like a solution, they often fail to capture the smallest, most dangerous particles. Hence, improving airflow and maintaining cleanliness within the premises is vital.
**Sarah:** That’s practical advice. As we look to protect non-smokers, what measures have been implemented to reduce exposure to passive smoking, especially in public areas?
**Professor Annesi-Maesano:** Since the introduction of the Evin Law in 1991, there have been significant legislative advancements aimed at protecting non-smokers. These regulations restrict smoking in public places and promote awareness about the dangers of second-hand smoke. However, there is still a need for ongoing efforts to ensure that these protections are upheld and expanded.
**Sarah:** Thank you, Professor Annesi-Maesano, for sharing your expertise on this critical public health issue. Any final thoughts for our listeners?
**Professor Annesi-Maesano:** Awareness is key. Understanding the risks associated with passive smoking can encourage more people to take action, whether that means advocating for smoke-free environments or ensuring healthier choices in their lives. Together, we can protect our communities, especially the most vulnerable.
**Sarah:** Thank you again for your insights. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you today.
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**End of Interview**
