Environmental tobacco smoke is one of those pressing environmental health concerns. The smoke emitted by a smoker, as well as the smoke coming from cigars, cigarettes, and pipes are all hazardous to health and the environment. It contains about 4,000 kinds of compounds that include formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. These are said to be strong irritants and the major causes of cancer today.

Environmental tobacco smoke is considered as a secondhand smoke. Everybody knows that secondhand smoking is one of the known causes of cancer. A number of deaths because of lung cancer had been recorded. And, it's quite surprising to know that the deceased are not even smokers. Aside from this, secondhand smoke may also cause throat, nose, or eye irritations. It may also have effects on the cardiovascular system that leads to chest pains. It may pose a higher risk most specially to people who already have existing illnesses of the heart or lungs.

The pitiful victims of environmental tobacco smoke or secondhand smoke are the children. If there's a family member who smokes, children are exposed to so much risks of getting lung or pulmonary ailments. When children are experiencing wheezing, cough, or excessive phlegm, these are most probably caused by environmental tobacco smoke. It can also cause an ear infection where building up of fluid in the middle of the ear occurs. Moreover, children who have asthma are more at risk.

Everybody should be responsible enough not only in protecting their children but also themselves from environmental tobacco smoke. Start by prohibiting smokers inside your home. If you're a smoker yourself, then it's about time the you kick the dangerous habit.