In the US alone, passive smoking is estimated to cause approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year. Though no similar statistics are available for Bangladesh, it is suspected that at least 5000 deaths occur annually from passive smoking. Infants and young children of parents who smoke are among the most seriously affected by exposure to second-hand smoke, being at increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are also more likely to have reduced lung function and symptoms of respiratory irritation like cough, excess phlegm, and wheeze. Passive smoking can lead to buildup of fluid in the middle ear, the most common cause of hospitalization of children for an operation.
Asthmatic children are especially at risk.
Exposure to second-hand smoke increases the number of episodes and severity of symptoms in hundreds of thousands of asthmatic children. Passive smoking may also cause thousands of non-asthmatic children to develop the condition each year. Passive smoking can also irritate the lungs, leading to coughing, excess phlegm, chest discomfort, and reduced lung function. Secondhand smoke may affect the cardiovascular system, and some studies have linked exposure to second-hand smoke with the onset of chest pain. If a family member insists on smoking indoors, increase ventilation in the area where smoking takes place.