What is Thirdhand Smoke?
Smoking is dangerous. It causes numerous health risks which can lead to even death. Heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer are just a few of the major health issues that can arise from inhaling nicotine and other harmful substances included in cigarette smoke.
Thirdhand smoke is referred to as the chemical residue that is left over or sticks around when someone smokes indoors. The tobacco particles from cigarettes can be absorbed into surfaces like carpets, floors, walls, clothes, and furniture, which leads to thirdhand smoke. These substances change chemically as they develop. When nicotine combines with indoor air pollutants like nitrous acid, carcinogens are created that may cause cancer.
Health Risks of Thirdhand Smoke
- Carcinogens are created when the nicotine in tobacco combines with nitric acid, which is found naturally in the air. Nicotine reacts with nitric acid to produce carcinogens when it remains on surfaces. It is believed that this may cause harm to human DNA.
- The skin may react negatively to nicotine and other chemical residues, leading to skin irritation and developing or worsening psoriasis and contact dermatitis.
- Breathing in thirdhand smoke can indeed cause stress in some people — small particles from smoke stick to clothing and furniture when someone smokes. Breathing them in may cause physical disruptions and discomfort, leading to stress in certain individuals.
- The dangerous compounds in smoke stick on surfaces long after a person has finished smoking. The danger of developing cancer may increase if you breathe in or come into contact with these residual chemicals.
Quit Smoking to Protect Your Surroundings
Giving up smoking or permanently stopping using tobacco or nicotine is a big step toward enhancing one’s general health and well-being. There are many advantages to quitting smoking and they affect both mental and physical health in different ways. Above all, there is a notable reduction in the chance of acquiring major illnesses like heart disease, lung issues, and several kinds of cancer, and at the same time, the chance of causing secondhand and thirdhand smoke can be reduced by protecting your family and loved ones.
We at Calgary Drugmart help you to live a smoke-free life since we recognize the difficulties you may face when giving up smoking. We offer personalised guidance and support in developing a successful plan regardless of how much or how little you smoke.
