Smoke gets in your eyes... hair... clothing... if you're near a smoker. Chances are that it also gets in your lungs. "Involuntary smokers," non-smokers who breath the smoke from others, are at increased risk for lung cancer, heart disease, and decreased lung function. The EPA estimates that about 3,000 non-smokers die of lung cancer each year from breathing the smoke from someone else's cigarettes. Other risks from breathing second-hand smoke include bronchitis and pneumonia (especially young children of smokers), chronic coughs, colds, and ear infections. Children and others with asthma often have an increase in severity of symptoms, and have elevated risks for asthma attacks. Check out some of the chemicals in second-hand smoke below. Adapted from the Chicago Lung Association Smokefree Home Page Why Quit? How to Be Successful at Quitting Quit Smoking Resources at Smith (Becoming a Former Smoker) Are You Facing These Rationalizations? What Actually Happens When You Smoke? Stress Management for Smokers Second Hand Smoke Strategies for Friends or Parents Who Smoke Smith College // Northampton, Massachusetts 01063 // (413) 585-2800 © 2001 - 2006 Smith College // Please send comments to: webmaster@smith.edu Page maintained by the Office of Student Affairs Last updated: April 7, 2006.