Health dept. offers free classes to help you quit smoking

Secondhand smoke is the air that is exhaled from those who are smoking or vaping, exposure can carry as many risks as firsthand smoke. The CDC has reported that since 1964, about 2,500,000 people have died due to health-related problems as a direct result of exposure to secondhand smoke. 

Thirdhand smoke is often less talked about, but still a major concern for your health. The Mayo Clinic discusses thirdhand smoke as the tobacco smoke that settles on indoor surfaces that are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke. It has pollutants such as nicotine and cancer-causing substances such as formaldehyde and naphthalene. Thirdhand smoke builds up over time, so you might not notice it at first. It can get stuck in soft items such as clothing, furniture, curtains, carpets and stuffed animals. It also settles on hard surfaces such as walls, floors and inside vehicles. For this reason, the Cleveland Clinic has determined that children are much more vulnerable to thirdhand smoke because they frequently come into contact with the floor and the clothing of adults in the home through carrying or close contact. 

This is especially true for children who are still in the hand-to-mouth phase of exploration. It can stay in place for many months, even after you have stopped smoking. Unlike secondhand smoke, you can’t lessen the impact of thirdhand smoke with more airflow. The Mayo Clinic states, “The only way to protect nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke or thirdhand smoke is to remove all forms of smoking from indoor areas.

There is no known “safe” level of exposure to secondhand or even thirdhand smoke, and the latter is difficult to clean off of surfaces with typical household cleaners alone. The best way to avoid this exposure as a nonsmoker would be to avoid designated smoking areas, attending institutions that are smoke free campuses, attending events that are well-ventilated or preferably outdoors, and asking family members to quit smoking. Smokers can take extra precautions by frequently washing walls, wiping down furniture, smoking outdoors, frequently washing clothes, but the best option would be to quit. Smokers can get help with quitting through programs such as Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit. The Montgomery County Health Dept. also offers free classes using the American Lung Association’s “Freedom From Smoking” curriculum. For more information about these classes, call 859-497-2443 or 859-497-2500.