SECOND-HAND SMOKE: A HIDDEN LUNG CANCER RISK

Second-hand smoke poses a significant lung cancer risk in India, affecting lakhs of people, warns the author.

- Dr Vibha Naik

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted in 2016-17, the prevalence of smoking tobacco use in India stands at 10.38 percent, while smokeless tobacco use is at 21.38 percent. Despite a decline in the smoking population, the issue of secondhand smoke persists, affecting many.

A TOXIC COCKTAIL

Second-hand smoke also known as passive smoking often dismissed as a minor annoyance, is a serious health threat. It is a silent killer responsible for a significant number of lung cancer cases worldwide, including in India. This complex mixture contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are known carcinogens. When someone smokes, these toxic substances are released into the air, posing a risk to anyone nearby. Inhaling this harmful cocktail can lead to various health issues, including lung cancer.