Dangers from Thirdhand Smoke
What is Thirdhand Smoke?
Thirdhand smoke is the smoke left behind — the harmful toxins that remain in places that people have smoked previously. Thirdhand smoke can be found in the walls of a bar, upholstery on the seats of a car, or even in a child's hair after a caregiver smokes near them.
The AAP Richmond Center has been investigating the effects of thirdhand smoke. Learn the facts.
Facts about Thirdhand Smoke
- 84.1% of smokers (95.4% non-smokers) believe that secondhand smoke harms children's health
- 43.3% of smokers (65.2% non-smokers) believe that thirdhand smoke causes harm to children
- The 2006 Surgeon General's report on involuntary exposure to tobacco tells us that there is no "safe" level of exposure to tobacco smoke
- Children exposed to smoke are at increased risk for multiple serious health effects including asthma, respiratory infections, decreased lung growth, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- 88.4% of non-smokers (26.7% smokers) have strict rules that prohibit smoking inside their home
- Adults who recognize the danger thirdhand smoke poses to children are more than twice as likely to have rules prohibiting smoking inside their home
- Pediatricians can assist parents by preventing children's exposure to tobacco smoke by counseling about the dangers of smoke exposure, helping the parents or other family members quit smoking, or by providing support for community policy change
Thirdhand Smoke — In The News
Thirdhand smoke has been a "hot topic" in recent news. Find information from various media sources about thirdhand smoke, particularly those with a connection to AAP Richmond Center activities.
- Thirdhand Smoke Exposure Another Threat to Children
- Beliefs About the Health Effects of "Thirdhand" Smoke and Home Smoking Bans by AAP Richmond Center Principal Investigators Drs. Jonathan Winickoff, Sue Tanski, and Robert McMillen
News Stories Discussing This Article
- Today Show Video: The Dangers of Thirdhand Smoke
- ABC News Video: Third Hand Smoke
- NPR's Talk of the Nation Radio Broadcast: Is Third-Hand Smoke a Hazard?
- BBC: Warning Over "Third-hand" Smoke
- New York Times: A New Cigarette Hazard — "Third-hand Smoke"
- Daily Telegraph: Parents Who Smoke Only in Garden May Still Harm Children, Doctors Warn
- Chicago Tribune: Experts Warn of the Dangers of "Thirdhand" Smoke
