Tips On Avoiding Third-Hand Smoke

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- We've heard a lot about second hand smoke and how it can affect people. But have you heard of third hand smoke?

Scientists are finding third-hand smoke can be dangerous too, but it can be avoided.

We know smoking can harm us and if we live with a smoker, that second-hand smoke we inhale can affect us as well.

"Second-hand smoke is when somebody smokes in the presence of other people and they inhale that smoke. that causes all kinds of problems such as lung cancer, such as C-O-P-D, such as asthma and respiratory infections in children," said Dr. Norman Edelman with the American Lung Association.

Now scientists are finding that third-hand smoke, which is fumes that come off somebody who has been smoking somewhere else, can have a negative impact on our health as well as our children's health.

"There's evidence now that third-hand smoke is a risk factor in children, like chronic ear infections and chronic respiratory infections. And if your clothes reek of smoke, your hair reeks of smoke, your little child is going to get an asthma attack more than likely," said Edelman.

So how do you avoid passing on your smoke to others? The American Lung Association recommends trying to kick the habit.

If that's not working, take the smoking outside where the air is less concentrated and the smoke fumes aren't as heavy and won't be left on clothing.

"Smokers should know that they're not only doing damage to their own hearts and lungs and other organs, but they're doing damage to the people around them," said Edelman.

Third-hand smoke is thought to potentially cause the greatest harm to infants and young children, because younger children are more likely to crawl on the floor and eat from their hands without washing them first, ingesting the toxins into their systems.

How old of a concept is third-hand smoke? It's a relatively new concept as most research has been done in the past five to 10 years.