2.7 Billion Exposed to Second-Hand Smoke in 2023

A major study published in The Lancet reveals that in 2023, over 2.7 billion people globally, including 767 million children, were exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke, resulting in approximately 1.7 million premature deaths. The study identifies second-hand smoke as a significant global health threat, asserting that there is no safe level of exposure.

Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of studies indexed in the United States National Institutes of Health’s PubMed database and population surveys across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. The findings indicate that second-hand smoke exposure caused 5.2 million respiratory tract infections among children in 2023.

Ischaemic heart disease was noted as the leading contributor to the disease burden associated with second-hand smoke. The study emphasizes that non-smokers can be adversely affected by living with smokers or being in environments where smoking occurs, making second-hand smoke a critical public health issue.