The Science Behind Secondhand Smoke: A Doctor Tells All
Secondhand smoke isn’t just annoying — it’s deadly. Tobacco Stops With Me talked with Dr. Brent Brown, a pulmonologist at OU Health Science Center in Oklahoma City, about the long-lasting impact of secondhand smoke, from the womb to adulthood.
How Secondhand Smoke Changes Lung Function
The impact of secondhand smoke runs deep — to the cells of your lungs. “When we expose those cells to smoke,” Dr. Brown explains, “it activates a gene called Notch. And that gene, once it’s turned on, begins to change that cell’s characteristic.” These changes include a loss of cilia, the hairlike exterior of cells that clears mucus and particles from airways. Secondhand smoke can also lead to a buildup of mucus, resulting in more illnesses. These cellular changes can lead to respiratory symptoms like coughing and increased phlegm production.
How Secondhand Smoke Affects Developing Bodies
Secondhand smoke can harm babies before they even take their first breath. Dr. Brown explains, “Babies in utero, when exposed to smoke, are genetically altered as infants. This puts them at risk of lung trouble as children and adults.”
This exposure can lead to several respiratory issues, including:
- Asthma attacks
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Decreased immune system
- Slowed lung development
Kids exposed to secondhand smoke during childhood are more likely to smoke as adults. People exposed to secondhand smoke early in life may experience health problems even sooner if they start smoking themselves, because early exposure can weaken their lungs and heart.
How Secondhand Smoke Affects Adults
For adults who don’t smoke, secondhand smoke can have immediate adverse effects. One of the most alarming aspects of secondhand smoke exposure is how quickly it can cause harm. Dr. Brown suggests that even short-term exposure, potentially as brief as 30 minutes to an hour, could be enough to activate genes leading to cellular lung changes and ultimately lung disease such as COPD and cancer.
How To Improve and Protect Your Lungs
For those experiencing health issues, doctors can detect secondhand smoke exposure with a simple blood test. “We can take a little sample of blood and test that for carbon monoxide,” Dr. Brown explains. Elevated CO levels can indicate recent exposure, helping individuals identify and address areas where they may come into contact with smoke.
For those who have been exposed to secondhand smoke, there is hope. Dr. Brown outlines a timeline for potential improvement in lung health once exposure ceases:
- Within 1-2 weeks: Carbon monoxide levels in the blood drop
- 4-6 months: Symptoms such as cough and mucus buildup improve
- 6 months or more: Measurable improvements in lung function tests
While the focus is often on traditional cigarette smoke, Dr. Brown cautions against assuming other forms of smoking are safe. He notes that secondhand vapor is not without risks. “There is evidence that some of the chemicals contained in vape cartridges can cause some chemical reactions and abnormalities in the lungs,” he warns.
How To Create Smoke-Free Environments
Many workplaces are now smoke free; however, certain environments make it hard for Oklahomans to live free of secondhand smoke. Bar and casino workers remain particularly vulnerable to secondhand smoke exposure, putting employees’ health at risk on the clock.
If you’re around secondhand smoke, here’s how you can create a smoke-free environment before you experience symptoms.
- At work:
- Talk with your boss about moving to a smoke-free area.
- Ask about improving the ventilation system.
- Suggest creating designated outdoor smoking areas.
- Support smoke-free workplace policies.
- At home:
- Make your home and car completely smoke free.
- Explain the health risks to family members and friends who smoke.
- Talk to your kids about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
- Offer support to those around you who are thinking about quitting smoking. Connect them with the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline.
- In public:
- Choose smoke-free restaurants and bars.
- Make sure your kids’ schools and daycare centers are smoke-free.
- Learn about your local tobacco policies.
- Spread the word about the dangers of secondhand smoke.
- Raise awareness that preemption prohibits cities, towns and counties from taking action to make our communities smoke free.
Even a little bit of secondhand smoke can leave a lasting impact. Dr. Brown’s insights into this harsh exposure highlight just how crucial it is to protect our respiratory health. From childhood to adulthood, the air we breathe plays an important role in our overall wellness. By understanding the risks of secondhand smoke and taking steps to create smoke-free environments, we can all breathe a little easier.