Second-hand smoke is smoke breathed in from other people’s tobacco smoke.
For instance, it may:
- be blown out when someone is smoking
- comes from the tip of a cigarette that has been left to burn
In Scotland it is illegal to smoke:
- within 15 metres of a hospital building – see the Prohibition of Smoking Outside Hospital Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2022 (GOV.UK)
- in a vehicle with anyone under the age of 18 – see Smoking in cars with children (Scottish Government)
For more information on second-hand smoke, visit Take it right outside (NHS Inform).
Facts on second-hand smoke
Did you know:
- particles of smoke are so tiny that 85% of them are invisible and odourless
- second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 toxic chemicals
- the harmful chemicals creep from room to room for up to 5 hours – even with the windows open and doors closed
Second-hand smoke and children
Children are more vulnerable to second-hand smoke because:
- they have smaller airways
- they breathe faster
- their immune systems are still developing
Children exposed to second-hand smoke are more at risk of:
- coughs
- colds
- ear infections
- chest infections