Secondhand smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals and toxins, including at least 60 carcinogens (cancer causing agents).

Since secondhand smoke is not filtered, it contains higher concentration of higher toxic levels then the smoke actually inhaled by the smoker. In fact, secondhand smoke holds twice the amount of tar and nicotine. Research shows that effects of secondhand smoke increases risk for lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, leukemia, cervical cancer, abdominal cancer and breast cancer. 1Nursing involvement in community action, helping patients quit, promoting an environment free of tobacco smoke and supporting effective tobacco control policies is essential to solve this problem. Nurses are in a vital position to educate the community on the effects of second hand smoking through one on one patient teaching using verbal and written methods along with community wide educational programs. They can guide families to have smokers smoke outside the home so the effects of second hand smoke carcinogenic are not in the air circulating inside. They can teach patients who have respiratory problems how to avoid public areas for smokers to prevent onset of symptoms. With nurses leadership in educating the public on health risks of second hand smoke, much of the diseases resulting from chemicals and toxins of cigarettes smoke can be prevented. Target population for SHS is everyone who is exposed to second hand smoke in worksites, multiple dwelling units, homes, healthcare settings and outdoor venues. Researchers conducted by the World Health Organization recently found out that almost 40 per cent of children are exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis. Furthermore, one-third of the adult population is also affected by regular exposure to second-hand smoke. Figures show that women are twice as likely to be affected by than men. Statistics taken by the WHO results in more than 280,000 women killed just from secondhand smoke. Smoking levels vary widely among different
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Risks of Cancers due to second hand smoke can be obtained in article Environmental Tobacco Smoke by Nancy Callhoun published by Journeyworks publishing, 2003

ethnicities, with American Indians/Alaska Natives having the highest exposure to second hand smoke at 32 percent compared to 20.9 percent for the nation as a whole. Cigarette smoking is more common among adults who live below the poverty level than those living at or above it.
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Smoking is also more common among men than women. Nurses are in a unique position to help

smoking cessation because they are usually the first health professional to see a patient and often the only provider to minorities who do not have sufficient access to primary health care.

Statistical data can be obtained from Oncology Nursing Society publications on Nursing Leadership in Global and Domestic Tobacco Control. Oncology Nursing Society

REFRENCES

Lazarous Mbulo, 08/2008. Changes in exposure to secondhand smoke among youth in Nebraska. 2002-2006. Preventing Chronic Diseases; 5(3); A84 ONS 3/99; revised 5/00, 10/02, 4/05, 7/08. Nursing Leadership in Global and Domestic Tobacco Control. Oncology Nursing Society. Retrieved from http://www.ons.org/Publications/Positions/Tobacco/ Rice, V.H., Stead, L.F. (2008). Nursing interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1, CD001188 World Health Organization. (2008a). The WHO framework convention on tobacco control. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/tobacco/en