According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 603,000 people, including 165,000 children, die each year worldwide due to secondhand smoke. This equates to around one out of every 100 deaths. A recent study revealed the following statistics
· 40% of children, 33% of male non-smokers and 35% of female non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke.
· Each year, exposure causes approximately 379,000 deaths from heart disease; 165,000 from lower respiratory infections; 36,900 from asthma and 21,400 from lung cancer.
· 47% of deaths from secondhand smoke occurred in women; 28% occurred in children and 26% in men.
· Childhood deaths tended to be most common in low and middle-income countries, while adult deaths were spread across countries of all incomes.
It is hoped that the recent public smoking bans that have taken effect in various cities and states across the United States will lower these numbers in the years go come. Not only is it important to quit smoking for you own health, but for the health of your friends, family and others around you. Alpha Life Style Center offers the help you or a loved one needs to quit smoking.