Secondhand smoke is what you inhale accidentally (called passive smoking) when you are near sources of tobacco smoke. For example, at parties or public gatherings, you might mingle with people who smoke. You may not feel any changes, but breathing secondhand smoke can affect your health.
Secondhand smoke is smoke you don’t mean to breathe in. Exposure to secondhand smoke comes from side stream or mainstream smoke. Burning tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars or pipes, releases side stream smoke. A person actively smoking nearby exhales mainstream smoke. Both sources release harmful chemicals into the air that affect nonsmokers.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
All smoke from burning nicotine products contains harmful chemicals (toxins). Even nonsmokers inhaling other people’s smoke breathe in these toxins. Side stream smoke from the end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe is unfiltered. It has more harmful toxins than mainstream smoke that someone breathes out.
Secondhand smoke damages the body in many different ways. Adults exposed to secondhand smoke may experience:
Studies have shown that damage from secondhand smoke occurs in as little as five minutes:
Secondhand smoke affects anyone near burned or exhaled tobacco, but some groups have more smoke exposure:
Most people who inhale secondhand smoke are not tested for exposure. If you regularly breathe in someone else’s smoke, your doctor may test your saliva (spit), urine or blood for amounts of inhaled nicotine.
Your healthcare provider also may test your lung (pulmonary) function to measure damage. Pulmonary function tests can identify conditions related to secondhand smoke dangers, like asthma.
There is no treatment for breathing in secondhand smoke. But there are ways to manage your exposure and treat conditions related to secondhand smoke inhalation.
If you are regularly near secondhand smoke, you can reduce the danger by:
Your healthcare provider may treat specific symptoms or diseases caused by secondhand smoke exposure. For example, you may need medications to manage high blood pressure or inhalers to treat asthma or COPD.
The best way to avoid exposure is to stay away from areas where people smoke. This means avoiding restaurants and bars where smoking is still permitted.
Open windows and air filters don’t remove all secondhand smoke. But they may help a little by lowering some of the toxins found in burning tobacco. It’s okay to ask people not to smoke in your car or in your home.
Regular exposure to secondhand smoke can damage your heart and lungs. The best way to stay healthy is to avoid secondhand smoke. Many cities and several states now ban smoking in public places. These bans lower but don’t remove your risk for secondhand smoke exposure.
You may want to visit your provider if you inhale secondhand smoke regularly. You can ask about secondhand smoke dangers and ways to stay healthy. If you develop heart disease or trouble breathing because of constant secondhand smoke exposure, talk to your provider about management options.
Often, secondhand smoke exposure happens because someone in the family or a close friend smokes tobacco products. If this is the case, suggest they quit smoking for their health and yours.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you smoke, remember that your burning tobacco affects others around you. You could be making family members sick. If you are not ready to quit, find ways to reduce their exposure to secondhand smoke, such as smoking only outside.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/09/2020.
Learn more about our editorial process.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy