Three Ways Your Smoking Is Affecting Your Loved Ones

One reason why millions of people quit smoking tobacco is to stop, prevent or limit the effects it has on loved ones. Secondhand smoke is the inhalation of burning tobacco products – such as cigarettes, cigars or pipes.
 
Secondhand smoke poses health risks, especially to those who already have a vulnerable immune system or those who live in the same household.
 

• Increased risk of illness – Those who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for lung cancer, heart disease and even stroke. Indirect exposure to tobacco smoke can also cause certain types of cancer in cats and dogs, and other pets, including lung and nose cancer.
• Chronic illness trigger – Secondhand smoke can cause and trigger severe asthma, respiratory infections and ear infections, especially with infants and children.
• Lingering smoke odors – Tobacco residue settles on hair, clothing, furniture, and other surfaces, creating odor and residue that is hard to remove. This is called thirdhand smoke. Tobacco residue is considered harmful to those exposed in homes, cars, and workplaces.

If you’d like help to prevent secondhand and thirdhand smoke around your loved ones, consider Quit Now Kentucky. It’s a free, convenient resource available in all areas of Kentucky. For more information about Quit Now Kentucky, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, text QUITKY to 797979 or visit QuitNowKentucky.org