How does second-hand smoke affect the health of passive smokers?
Secondhand smoke is also referred to as involuntary smoking, and passive smoking. It is a complex mixture of more than 4,000 chemical compounds, including 69 known carcinogens. These chemicals are released into the air as particles and gases. The particulate phase of cigarette smoke include nicotine, “tar” (itself composed of many chemicals), benzene and benzo (a) pyrene. The gas phase includes carbon monoxide, ammonia, dimethylnitrosamine, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and acrolein. The scientific evidence on the health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke is clear, convincing, and overwhelming. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, low birth-weight births, and chronic lung ailments such as bronchitis and asthma (particularly in children). Overwhelming scientific evidence concludes that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. What are the concerns of the NGOs as regards the COTPA and its implementation? India has a long traditi
