Even a Little Secondhand Smoke Is Dangerous

Article Abstract:

Exposure to passive smoking can affect blood vessel and platelet function adversely, according to studies done in non-smoking humans. Animal studies have also shown that exposure to cigarette smoke on a daily basis can cause atherosclerosis. This supports the epidemiological studies showing a link between passive smoking and heart disease.

Editorial, Causes of

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Passive smoking and heart disease: mechanisms and risk

Article Abstract:

Passive smoking appears to adversely affect the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of heart disease. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) impedes the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and interferes with the heart's ability to effectively use oxygen. ETS exposure activates blood platelets, which increases the risk of blood clots and damages the lining in the coronary arteries. Damage to the blood vessel lining allows platelets to stick to the tissue which leads to the formation of fatty plaques and atherosclerosis. Cancer-causing elements in ETS may speed the development of fatty plaques in blood vessels. People who are exposed to ETS are 1.2 to 1.7 times more likely to die from heart disease and have a 1.3 times greater risk of nonfatal heart disease compared to non-exposed people. Because nonsmokers are sporadically exposed to ETS, they never fully adapt to the chemicals in tobacco smoke and exhibit more pronounced health effects than smokers.

Physiological aspects

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Environmental tobacco smoke: the Brown and Williamson documents

Article Abstract:

Two major tobacco companies publicly challenged research findings that show environmental smoke can cause cancer in nonsmokers, although their own internal research supported the findings. Confidential documents from Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp.(B&W) and the British American Tobacco Co.(BAT) obtained from an anonymous source and a former BAT executive were studied. After a landmark paper was published showing that people exposed to environmental smoke increased their risk of developing lung cancer, B&W and BAT sought out research that would oppose that finding. Publicly the tobacco industry said the the conclusion was not proven although BAT researchers had found toxic agents in cigarette smoke years earlier. The company had even tried to develop a cigarette that would emit low sidestream smoke.

Research, British-American Tobacco Company Ltd., Environmental health, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.

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