Second-hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 250 of which are harmful and 69 of which are carcinogenic. Unlike smoke drawn through a filter, sidestream smoke from the burning tip of a cigarette is unfiltered and contains higher concentrations of many toxic compounds.
Children exposed to second-hand smoke in the home have significantly higher rates of lower respiratory tract infections, asthma exacerbations, and sudden infant death syndrome.