How to Protect Yourself against Secondhand Smoke

Nicotine found in tobacco is considered the most addictive drug in the world, which is why smoking is one tough addiction to break. Smoking has a lot of health hazards, including lung cancer. But what many of us don’t know is that you can have this disease without even touching a cigarette through secondhand smoke.

Exposure to cigarette smoke can have detrimental effects – it’s as if you’re an active smoker yourself. In fact, there are studies that show how secondhand smoke can affect the cardiovascular system within minutes of inhaling just small amounts of it. Harmful changes can be detected in the rhythm of the heart, as well as in the blood and the blood vessels. It is therefore important to keep you and your loved ones safe against the dangers of passive or secondhand smoke. Here are the ways:

1. Avoid smoking areas.

If you’re dining out, for instance, go to a restaurant where smoking is not tolerated. While you can’t tell anyone to stop smoking, you can certainly choose places where you will not be around them.

2. Have clear rules at home.

If you have a partner who smokes, encourage him or her to quit. For your guests, you can also tell them you don’t allow smoking at home. You may let them smoke outside as long as you and your children cannot inhale the smoke. You can also post no smoking signs on your door or your wall, so that you don’t have to explicitly tell your visitors to not smoke.

3. Use a mask.

Sometimes, you can’t really avoid smokers, especially in public areas where smoking is allowed. An emergency escape mask can come in handy. If you have a health condition, make sure you always have the mask ready.

4. Use HEPA filters.

You can equip your home or the rooms in your home with high efficiency particulate air filters or HEPA filters. Although this will not help get rid of the smoke, it does minimize the effects of secondhand smoke in your house.

5. Protect your home.

If there are cracks in your home, you should seal them. It also helps if you improve your ventilation system, so that clean air can circulate freely around your home. If you’re renting, you should talk to your landlord about a smoke-free policy. If this isn’t possible, move to a smoke-free building where you will stay safe and healthy.

You can also protect yourself by improving your immunity. Drink herbal teas, eat healthy, and exercise regularly. Make sure you interact with nature and do some breathing exercises when you’re outside where there’s no pollution.

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