Secondhand smoke and its unfavorable associations in vulnerable population groups

Abstract

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is one of the greatest and most frequent environmental toxic exposures. According to WHO it causes over 600,000 deaths per year, the majority (64%) among women, with more than a third of all people exposed to the harmful effects of smoke. This corresponds to 1% of the global burden of diseases worldwide. Numerous studies have shown the harmful effects of SHS on those who are exposed, including female adults, children, and pregnant women and their fetuses. The aim of this narrative review is to present research concerning SHS and its unfavorable association with the physical and mental health of those vulnerable population groups. Full papers in the English language were searched in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases and the inclusion factors were reviews and original studies on secondhand smoke and its effects on maternal and child health, including US Surgeon General's Reports since the year 2006. Special attention was paid to studies based on the bilateral American-Slovak project "Prenatal, pregnancy and childhood exposures to household smoking and their relations to subsequent development and health in Slovakia". The research on SHS and health effects helps in campaigns for smoke-free environments and in the promotion of community-based smoke-free programs. Besides school and workplace, a complete smoking ban at home should be considered to avoid potential adverse health effects on vulnerable population groups.