SECONDHAND SMOKE LINKED TO 1.66 MILLION DEATHS WORLDWIDE IN 2023

Study Finds More Than 2.7 Billion People Exposed to Tobacco Smoke

 Nearly 1.7 million people worldwide died in 2023 from exposure to secondhand smoke, according to a study published Tuesday in The Lancet Public Health.

Secondhand smoke is the smoke inhaled by people near someone using tobacco products.

Researchers found that more than 2.7 billion people, including about 767 million children, were exposed to secondhand smoke in 2023.

The study examined data from 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2023. It linked secondhand smoke exposure to 1.66 million deaths and 44.8 million years of healthy life lost in 2023.

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Heart Disease and Childhood Infections

Ischemic heart disease was the leading cause of death associated with secondhand smoke exposure among adults, the researchers found.

Among children, exposure was linked to 5.2 million lower respiratory infections in 2023.

Although the proportion of people exposed to secondhand smoke has declined since 1990, the overall number has remained broadly stable because of population growth.

Exposure has increased particularly in parts of Africa and the Middle East, according to the study.

Researchers Call for Stronger Tobacco Controls

The researchers said secondhand smoke remains a major global health risk and urged stronger tobacco-control measures to protect people, particularly women and children.