Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, or 1 of every 5 deaths. 

Secondhand smoke and third hand smoke also provides harm, compromising health and supporting disease, including to death.

Secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke, involuntary smoking, and passive smoking) is the combination of “sidestream” smoke (the smoke given off by a burning tobacco product) and “mainstream” smoke (the smoke exhaled by a smoker). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. National Toxicology Program, the U.S. Surgeon General, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified secondhand smoke as a known human carcinogen, which is a cancer-causing agent.

More than 7000 chemicals are created by secondhand smoke, and at least 250 are known to be harmful. Research indicates that hundreds are toxic, and about 70 can cause cancer. Some studies demonstrate increases in cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. Learn more in CDC’s Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke.

Third hand smoke is an invisible, toxic combination of gases and particles that clings to a smoker’s hair, clothing, furniture, carpeting, and other items. The residue of third hand smoke contains heavy metals, carcinogens, and radioactive materials.

Quit the habit of smoking, and being exposed to smoke, to improve quality of life and cancer survival.

For More Information

• National Cancer Institute (NCI) Smoking
• NCI’s Smoking Quitline at 1-877-44U-QUIT and LiveHelp can talk with you about ways to quit smoking and groups that help smokers who want to quit. Groups may offer counseling in person or by telephone.
• Smoke Free, a federal government resource, has an online guide to quitting smoking and a list of other resources.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Smoking and Tobacco Use
• Doctors and dentists can help their patients find local programs or trained professionals who help people stop using tobacco.
• Doctors and dentists can suggest medicine or nicotine replacement therapy, such as a patch, gum, lozenge, nasal spray, or inhaler.