Could You Be Exposing Yourself to Secondhand Smoke… and Not Even…
Q&A with Organizational Pro Peter Walsh + Dermatologist Shares A…
Actor Hank Azaria + Freezer Meals + Artichokes 2 Ways with Rach
See Inside Barbara Corcoran's Stunning NY Apartment + It's Steak…
How to Make Chicken and Lobster Piccata | Richard Blais
Donnie Wahlberg Spills Details About NKOTB's First Ever Conventi…
Donnie Wahlberg + Jenny McCarthy Say Rach Is Such a "Joy" + Look…
The Best Moments From 17 Seasons of the Show Will Make You Laugh…
How to Make Crabby Carbonara | Rachael Ray
Rach Chats "Firsts" In Flashback From Our First Episode Ever In …
How to Make Apple-Cider Braised Pork Chop Sandwiches with Onion …
Rach's Chef Pals Say Goodbye to Show in Surprise Video Message
How to Make Sesame Cookies | Buddy Valastro
How to Make Tortilla with Potatoes, Piquillo Peppers and Mancheg…
How to Make Shrimp Burgers | Jacques Pepin
How to Make Spanakopipasta | Rachael Ray
Andrew McCarthy Chokes Up Discussing Emotional Trip to Spain wit…
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Andrew McCarthy Teases Upcoming "Brat Pack" Reunion Special
Michelle Obama Toasts Rach's 17 Years on the Air With a Heartfel…
Everyone knows that smoking can have a tremendous negative impact on your health.
And secondhand smoke? Even brief exposure can be harmful to your health.
But here's a question you might not have even thought of: Could you be exposing yourself to secondhand smoke… and not even know it?
"Most exposure to secondhand smoke occurs in homes and workplaces," explains best-selling author and physician Dr. Ian Smith, who partnered with us and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to tell us more about secondhand smoke. "But there is risk for exposure in public places like restaurants, bars and casinos, as well as in cars and other vehicles."
And the fact of the matter is, there is no such thing as a risk-free level of secondhand smoke.
"Even brief exposure can be harmful to your health," says Dr. Ian. "When someone smokes, secondhand smoke can linger in indoor areas for several hours. It's not like, 'I stopped and I left. It's still in there!"
That smoke, even just traces of it, are filled with chemicals — potentially more than 7,000 chemicals, in fact! Hundreds are known to be toxic and about 70 of them cause cancer. That's why even secondhand smoke can cause stroke, lung cancer and coronary heart disease in adults, as well as asthma, respiratory infection, ear infections and even sudden infant death syndrome (or SIDS) in children, says Dr. Ian.
Got your attention yet?
That's why we wanted to share the story of Ellie, who’s part of the CDC’s “Tips From Former Smokers™ Campaign.” She was never a smoker, but exposure to secondhand smoke forced her to change her entire life.
Ellie Explains How Secondhand Smoke Forced Her to Change Her Life
Ellie Explains How Secondhand Smoke Forced Her to Change Her Life
Q&A with Organizational Pro Peter Walsh + Dermatologist Shares A…
Actor Hank Azaria + Freezer Meals + Artichokes 2 Ways with Rach
See Inside Barbara Corcoran's Stunning NY Apartment + It's Steak…
How to Make Chicken and Lobster Piccata | Richard Blais
Donnie Wahlberg Spills Details About NKOTB's First Ever Conventi…
Donnie Wahlberg + Jenny McCarthy Say Rach Is Such a "Joy" + Look…
The Best Moments From 17 Seasons of the Show Will Make You Laugh…
How to Make Crabby Carbonara | Rachael Ray
Rach Chats "Firsts" In Flashback From Our First Episode Ever In …
How to Make Apple-Cider Braised Pork Chop Sandwiches with Onion …
Rach's Chef Pals Say Goodbye to Show in Surprise Video Message
How to Make Sesame Cookies | Buddy Valastro
How to Make Tortilla with Potatoes, Piquillo Peppers and Mancheg…
How to Make Shrimp Burgers | Jacques Pepin
How to Make Spanakopipasta | Rachael Ray
Andrew McCarthy Chokes Up Discussing Emotional Trip to Spain wit…
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Celebrity Guests Send Farewell Messages After 17 Seasons of the …
Andrew McCarthy Teases Upcoming "Brat Pack" Reunion Special
Michelle Obama Toasts Rach's 17 Years on the Air With a Heartfel…
"I started working in bars when I was 28 years old, and I enjoyed it. And I was very successful!" says Ellie.
But when she hit her mid-30s, she had her first asthma attack. "Realizing it was triggered by secondhand smoke was a terrifying and upsetting experience," she says.
"Every night, I went into the bar and was surrounded by smoke, I could feel my lungs getting tighter," Ellie continues. "It was getting to a point, after a number of years, that I knew I couldn't do it anymore."
The fact of the matter is, there are still 23 states that don't have comprehensive smoke-free laws, to help you protect your health. But there are measures that can be taken.
And that includes helping the people closest to you to quit smoking, so you can all live in a healthy, smoke-free environment.
The CDC has a ton of info on how you can protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke, plus resources to help you or someone you love quit smoking. Head over to their website at cdc.gov/tips for more information. Or call 1-800-Quit-Now for free help.
More Info
