Third-Hand Cigarette Smoke

by Vin Miller

We all know that second-hand cigarette smoke poses a major threat to your health, but experts are now claiming that third-hand smoke is a serious risk as well.

What is Third-Hand Smoke?

Cigarette smoke sticks to your clothes, your hair, the upholstery of your furniture and car, and the carpets and walls of your home. It basically sticks to anything it comes in contact with. This is clearly evident from the stench that is so distinctly noticeable to non-smokers. It’s these odorous remnants that are referred to as third-hand smoke.

The Ingredients of Cigarette Smoke

According to the National Cancer Institute, cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, 250 of which are known to be harmful and 50 of which are known to cause cancer. And that’s only what’s known. The remaining thousands of chemicals most likely aren’t good for you either. With or without smoke in the air, if you’re able to smell the remnants of cigarette smoke, you’re still breathing in many of these toxic chemicals and it’s still unhealthy.

My Rant

Although it’s not my intention, I know I’m about to make some people angry. I think outlawing smoking in public buildings is one of the greatest laws in recent history and it infuriates me to hear smokers complain about this being a violation of their rights. What about every non-smoker’s right to breathe clean air? I also find it extremely irritating when people smoke in outdoor places like bus stops and building entrances that are difficult for non-smokers to avoid.

In general, I simply dislike being around the stench of cigarette smoke, and now that my suspicions are confirmed about it being more than just an annoyance, it begs the question of whether or not smoking laws should become more restrictive. After all, there aren’t any notable benefits that cigarettes provide to help counter the significant problems they create. And even if there were, would it justify the alarming number of teenagers that continue to pick up the habit?

What About Other Sources of Air Pollution?

The first thing a smoker might cite in response to this type of argument is the massive amount of air pollution besides cigarette smoke that we’re exposed to every day. But isn’t this merely justifying one problem with another? There’s no doubt air pollution is a problem that needs attention, however, most sources of air pollution also provide significant benefits that help to compensate for the negative consequences they cause.

Automobile exhaust is a good example. It’s harmful for us to breathe and it’s harmful to the environment. But consider life without automobiles versus life without cigarettes. Which one is more likely to cause greater problems for society? Furthermore, cigarette smoke has been shown to produce ten times as much air pollution as automobile exhaust, and most people don’t come into close contact with auto exhaust as they do with cigarette smoke.

My Bias

As someone who goes through extreme measures to enjoy good health, it can be frustrating when other people do things that undermine my efforts. Smoking is one of these things. I was raised in a household with a heavy smoker and spent much of my first eighteen years breathing through a cloud of second hand smoke. I didn’t like the smell of it, I didn’t like having my clothes smell, and at an age far too young to drive, I didn’t like people asking me with a judgmental tone if I smoked.

Worst of all, I’ve lost family members due to smoking and second-hand smoke may have played a part in my own health issues as well. If not justified, I think the bias I have towards smoking is at least understandable. If you’re a smoker, I hope you can understand my point of view. In fact, I’d like to hear yours as well. And what I really hope for is that you’ll consider quitting for your own good as well as the people around you.

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