Published 2025-12-03
Keywords
- secondhand smoke,
- cardiovascular effects,
- respiratory conditions,
- tobacco smoke exposure
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2025 Swami Vivekananda University Press
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Secondhand smoke (SHS), sometimes referred to as passive smoking, has become a major worldwide public health hazard with far-reaching effects on people of all ages. This review comprehensively evaluates the adverse effects of passive smoking on children’s health outcomes, focusing on respiratory conditions, cardiovascular effects, cancer risk, growth retardation, and immune system compromise. A thorough analysis of existing literature reveals that exposure to tobacco smoke significantly heightens the risk and severity of lower respiratory tract infections in children. Additionally, passive smoking is associated withdecreased lung function and more respiratory issues, and impaired cognitive and behavioural development. These findings underscore the pressing requirement for efficient public health strategies to mitigate the impact of SHS on vulnerable populations, particularly children.This study aims to illuminate the multifaceted impact of passive smoking on children’s health, emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding young populations from the harmful consequences of tobacco smoke exposure.
DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788198800473.2025.123-128