Third-hand smoking puts children and elderly at home at risk, expert lists tips to protect against its toxic effect

California is the first state to take a stand against third-hand smoking. (Picture Credit: Pexels)

• California is the first state to address thirdhand smoke health risks
• Thirdhand smoke residue lingers on surfaces, causing long-term health hazards
• Raising cigarette prices helps reduce smoking rates and related diseases

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California becomes the first state to take a stand against third-hand smoking. A bill was introduced by Assembly member Liz Ortega (D-San Francisco) in the past which required homeowners to disclose any history of thirdhand smoke or vaping residue when selling their property. The bill was passed unanimously.

Neal Benowitz, MD, a UC San Francisco professor emeritus of medicine and co-author of a recent paper on thirdhand smoke, told Medical Xpress, “In mice, researchers have found that thirdhand smoke exposure causes DNA damage, can cause or promote cancer, cause immune dysfunction and behavior disturbances." He also added, “Studies of people exposed to thirdhand smoke found changes in blood proteins that have been associated with inflammation and heart disease.”

Chances are you know what secondhand smoke or passive smoking means. However, if you're wondering what thirdhand smoke means, let us explain.

Moneycontrol team spoke to Dr Akshay Budhraja, Senior Consultant & HOD, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine at Aakash Healthcare, to understand what third-hand smoking means and how it can be harmful for one's health.

"Long after a person is done smoking, the residue of tobacco smoke stays in the air and that proves to be detrimental in the long run. The toxins from all the smoking get deposited on clothes, furniture, carpets, hair, among other things. These toxins continue to stay on things for several months or weeks. The residue of these toxins interact with indoor pollutants over the course of time and re-enter the body through inhalation, contact with the skin, or via ingestion, and cause health hazards when the act of active smoking is not taking place," explained Dr Budhraja.

Dr Budhraja lists a slew of harmful effects of third-hand smoking

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- Third-hand smoke may cause irritation to the respiratory system, worsen asthma, weaken the immunity of lungs and damage the cells in the long term.

- The residue of the smoke has been identified to cause toxicity of the chemicals, which lead to DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation, thus predisposing one to chronic lung disease and cancer.

- Infants, children, elderly and people who have respiratory issues who spend long time indoors are prone to third-hand smoking.

Is third-hand smoking worse than active smoking?

Third-hand smoking puts people who don't even smoke at a risk. "It may not be riskier than active smoking per se, however, third-hand smoking is a major contributor to cumulative health risks. Children, elderly who stay indoors are also vulnerable, as they are more exposed to the polluted surfaces from time to time," Dr Budhraja told Moneycontrol.

Tips to avoid third-hand smoking

The third-hand smoke prevention needs to involve having homes, offices and cars that are fully free of smoke, highlighted Dr Budhraja.

1. "Indoor smoking must never be permitted. In houses where people do smoke inside the premises, one must clean surfaces from time to time. One must also wash fabrics and enhance ventilation to reduce the amount of residue," suggested Dr Budhraja.

2. He also advised people to change their clothes and wash their hands once they are done smoking. This practice can help prevent indoor contamination.

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Price of cigarettes to go up in India from February 1

Incidentally, in India also, the prices of tobacco products, including cigarettes, will go up by 15 to 40% as the country plans to impose excise duty. On this, Dr Budhraja hailed it as powerful intervention. "An increase in the prices has always been associated with decreased smoking rates and reduced disease burden in the long term. These policies will not only lower the cost of healthcare, but will also help to drive home the point on the serious health consequences of tobacco use by both smokers and non-smokers," he concluded.

FAQs on third-hand smoking:

Q1. What is third-hand smoking?

Third-hand smoking refers to toxic residues from tobacco smoke that linger on surfaces like clothes, furniture, walls, carpets and even hair after a cigarette is extinguished.

Q2. How is third-hand smoke different from second-hand smoke?

Second-hand smoke is inhaled directly from the air when someone smokes nearby, while third-hand smoke remains on surfaces long after smoking has stopped.

Q3. Why is third-hand smoking harmful?

The leftover chemicals can react with indoor air pollutants to form cancer-causing compounds, increasing health risks over time.

Q4. Who is most vulnerable to third-hand smoke exposure?

Infants, young children, pregnant women, elderly individuals and people with asthma or weakened immunity are most at risk.

Q5. Can third-hand smoke affect babies and children?

Yes. Babies and toddlers often touch contaminated surfaces and put their hands in their mouths, increasing their exposure to toxic residues.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.