Health impact of passive smoking?

[Palak]

Hello, I am 18 years old. My father is a chain smoker. In my family no one smokes except my father. I am worried about him. I have requested him not to smoke. But he does not listen to anyone. I learnt that passive smoking causes more damage than active smoking. Please elaborate on the health impact of passive smoking.

[Amitesh]

@palak Passive smoking means breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke. The smoke drifting from a lit cigarette plus the smoke breathed out by a smoker is called second-hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke.  Second-hand smoke is a serious health risk for both those who smoke and those who do not. Children are particularly at risk of serious health effects from second-hand smoke. Tobacco smoke inside a room tends to hang in mid-air rather than disperse. Hot smoke rises, but tobacco smoke cools rapidly, which stops its upward climb. Since the smoke is heavier than the air, the smoke starts to descend. A person who smokes heavily indoors creates a low-lying smoke cloud that other householders have no choice but to breathe. Tobacco smoke contains around 7,000 chemicals, made up of particles and gases, over 70 of which are known to cause cancer. Second-hand smoke has been confirmed as a cause of lung cancer by several leading health authorities. Chemicals in second-hand smoke such as ammonia, sulphur and formaldehyde damage the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. These compounds are especially harmful to people with lung conditions such as bronchitis or asthma. Exposure to second-hand smoke can trigger or worsen symptoms.