Why should non-smokers breathing other people’s smoke be concerned about developing lung cancer?
Second-hand smoke contains carcinogens released into the air by the combustion of tobacco during smoking.
Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke inhale and metabolize similar chemicals and carcinogens to those that active smoker smokers do. Examples of these chemicals are carcinogens like tobacco-specific nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Studies based on non-smokers have found that those who inhale second-hand smoke at work and/or at home regularly have twice the risk of developing lung cancer compared with non-smokers who do not inhale second-hand smoke.
