DANGERS OF PASSIVE SMOKING 3
congenital malformations (Jorgensen, 2007). Moreover, their infants may have low birth weight
or abnormally small heads. Premature deliveries and stillbirths are also common problems
among females who regularly inhale tobacco smoke when pregnant (Owens, 2015). These facts
prove that secondhand smoking is harmful to pregnant women and their unborn children.
Passive smoking may also result in different respiratory illnesses. These problems affect
both adults and children (Jorgensen, 2007). For example, tobacco fumes may irritate a
nonsmoker's upper respiratory tract. Passive smokers may also suffer from infections of the
lower respiratory tract. These diseases include serious ailments like pneumonia and bronchitis.
Sadly, over 300,000 children under the age of one-and-a-half years die yearly due to these
illnesses (Jorgensen, 2007). Additionally, secondhand smoking may cause constant coughs, chest
discomfort, and augmented sputum production. Tobacco smoke also compromises the proper
functioning of lungs. Moreover, exposure to these fumes worsens the severity of asthma (Owens,
2015). These respiratory problems occur because the inhaled tobacco affects the structure of a
nonsmoker's pulmonary parenchyma and airways. This substance also makes the mucosal layer
permeable to allergens and increases mucus production (Owens, 2015). Evidently, secondhand
smoking causes various respiratory illnesses.
Smoking causes a broad range of health problems. The dangers are severe in both
smokers and nonsmokers. Passive smoking affects adults, minors, and unborn babies. When
nonsmokers consistently inhale tobacco fumes, they increase their chances of suffering from
different types of cancer. Moreover, tobacco smoke is harmful to pregnant women and their
unborn children. Pregnant females who often inhale tobacco smoke are likely to give birth to
infants with certain abnormalities. Sadly, such women may not deliver live babies. Various
respiratory illnesses also result from secondhand smoking.
