Second-hand smoke is a complex mix of chemicals produced by burning tobacco. Just like primary smoking, second-hand smoke can cause disease and death.

• What is second-hand smoke?
• How to avoid second-hand smoke
• Drifting second-hand smoke
• How second hand smoke hurts your lungs

What is second-hand smoke?

Second-hand smoke has over 4,000 chemicals; many of them cause cancer. Two thirds of the smoke from a cigarette is not inhaled by the smoker, but enters the air around the smoker.

• Second-hand smoke has at least twice the amount of nicotine and tar as the smoke inhaled by the smoker
• It has five times the amount of carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that robs the blood of oxygen
• It also contains higher levels of ammonia (better known as window cleaner) and cadmium (also found in batteries)
• The concentration of hydrogen cyanide (a poisonous gas that attacks respiratory enzymes) in tobacco smoke is considered toxic
• It contains nitrogen dioxide which is measured at fifty times higher than the standard for harm
• Non-smokers who breathe in second-hand smoke can get many serious diseases. It can cause lung cancer, heart disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis) asthma and other diseases
• Regular exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung disease by 25% and heart disease by 10%

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How to avoid second-hand smoke

• Make your home and car smoke-free spaces. Put up no-smoking stickers and signs in your home
• Make sure you and your kids aren't exposed to second-hand smoke at daycare, school, or friends' homes
• Support businesses and activities that are smoke-free. Let other businesses owners know that you can't support their businesses until they become 100% smoke-free too
• If you can't find a smoke-free restaurant and must go to one that allows some smoking, ask to sit in the non-smoking section. If your asthma or COPD is triggered by smoke, don't risk it- stay away from any place that allows smoking
• Support laws that restrict smoking

If you have children, remember that you are a powerful role model. If you don't smoke, your children are less likely to smoke.

If you do smoke:

• Talk to your children about your smoking-they'll be less likely to smoke than if you ignore the problem
• Smoke outside
• Don't smoke in the car
• Consider quitting - it's hard, but you're worth it, and so are your kids

What about drifting second-hand smoke?

Second-hand smoke can drift under doors, through open windows, vents and even electrical outlets. Drifting tobacco smoke is a problem for many people who live in multi-unit buildings as renters or as owners. Here's what you can do if second-hand smoke is entering your home:

Work out a solution

• Talk to your neighbors. Let them know you're interested in reaching a workable solution
• Look at your tenancy agreement. If your building is smoke-free, ask that the policy or bylaw be enforced
• If the problem continues, write your landlord and ask for help to resolve the issue
• If you have a chronic illness or condition made worse by secondhand smoke, get a note from your doctor that explains this

Other things you can do:

• Seal cracks, plug electrical outlets, weather strip doors and windows, improve ventilation systems or other repairs
• Talk to your landlord or strata about putting into place a smoke-free policy or bylaw. Landlords have the right to make all or part of a building as smoke-free
• If you rent, ask to move to a different unit in your building, one that is free from drifting tobacco smoke
• Move to a smoke-free building. Make sure the tenancy agreement states that the entire building is smoke-free, including the unit, balconies/patios and common areas

As a last resort if the situation doesn't improve or the landlord won't help, contact your local Residential Tenancy Office or Tenants Rights Coalition to discuss your options.

For landlords

There are lots of benefits to making your properties smoke-free:

• Lower maintenance costs and fire insurance costs
• Tenants are protected from second-hand smoke
• You help meet a community need for smoke-free housing

You have a responsibility to act on reasonable tenant complaints and resolve the problem of drifting tobacco smoke. Timely and reasonable repairs will eliminate or reduce the problem. Smoke-free policies or bylaws need to be enforced where they are in place.

Convert vacant units to smoke-free units, moving toward a partial or complete smoke-free building, including balconies and patios.

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