What is the difference between smoking and secondhand smoke?
Sure, here's the difference between smoking and secondhand smoke:
Smoking:
- Involves direct inhalation of tobacco smoke, either through cigarettes, pipes, or cigars.
- The smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine.
- Smoking is a major cause of preventable death and disease, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory problems.
Secondhand smoke:
- Is the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker and then inhaled by a nonsmoker.
- It contains many of the same chemicals as smoking, but in much lower concentrations.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke can still cause health problems, such as respiratory irritation, headaches, and dizziness.
- Secondhand smoke is particularly dangerous for children, as it can damage their developing lungs.
In summary, smoking is the direct inhalation of tobacco smoke, while secondhand smoke is the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker and then inhaled by a nonsmoker.