Sidestream smoke

Sidestream smoke (also known as secondhand smoke, environmental tobacco smoke, or ETS) is the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, and is a major source of tobacco smoke pollution (TSP). It is different from mainstream smoke, which is the smoke exhaled by the smoker.

Composition

Sidestream smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including more than 60 known carcinogens. These include polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, N-Nitrosamines, and alkylating agents. Sidestream smoke has higher concentrations of many of the toxins found in mainstream smoke.

Health effects

Exposure to sidestream smoke has been linked to a number of adverse health effects. It can cause lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease. Children exposed to sidestream smoke are at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Regulation

Many countries have laws restricting smoking in public places to protect people from the harmful effects of sidestream smoke. These include the United States, Canada, and many countries in Europe and Asia.

See also

• Passive smoking
• Tobacco smoking
• Health effects of tobacco

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