Need another reason to quit smoking this year? Here's a shocking one: Even if you smoke when you're alone, far away from other people, you could still be harming their health. How? Third-hand smoke, a term created by doctors at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston. As it turns out, the smell of stale cigarette smoke isn't just an olfactory assault. It affects your health, too. The residue left on smokers' hair and clothing, and in carpets and cars, is brimming with toxic chemicals that linger long after secondhand smoke has dissipated. Children (and other adults) can get those chemicals on their hands and ingest them. According to Science Daily: "Particulate matter from tobacco smoke has been proven toxic. According to the National Toxicology Program, these 250 poisonous gases, chemicals, and metals include hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, butane, ammonia, toluene (found in paint thinners), arsenic, lead, chromium (used to make steel), cadmium (used to make batteries), and polonium-210 (highly radioactive carcinogen). Eleven of the compounds are classified as Group 1 carcinogens, the most dangerous." Pretty scary. Tactics like turning on a fan, smoking when kids aren't in the car or blowing smoke out a window don't really help spare others from the effects of smoking. The articles I read offered just one suggestion: Don't smoke. (Or quit smoking if you already smoke.) That's easier said than done, I understand. (Need help quitting? Exercise might help, research has found.) Are you a smoker? Does this news make you want to quit? If you're a nonsmoker, do you think smokers will be affected by this news? Former smokers: Congratulations! How did you quit? |
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