Secondhand smoke contains about 4000 chemicals and toxins, which linger in the air. Some 43 of these toxins are cancerous poisons. Secondary smoke is especially harmful to infants and young children because of their immature bodies.
Smoke affects non-smokers more than smokers themselves.
This is because smokers burn off the major percentage of chemicals when they inhale air to encourage the burning of the cigarette. Air drawn in this way is also diffused and dilutes the smoker's toxic gases. Non-smokers don't breathe in air together with the smoke to diffuse the smoke's toxicity. Infants and children exposed to smoke are susceptible to numerous health risks. This is due to tobacco's smoke toxins entering the infant's immature body and paralyzing or damaging the body.