HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini

Second-hand smoke

Auahi tukurua

The smoke someone breathes out when they are having a cigarette, or that comes from the end of the cigarette is called second-hand smoke.

Second-hand smoke is dangerous. It contains just as many cancer-causing and dangerous substances as the smoke a smoker inhales. Around 350 New Zealanders die each year because they have breathed in second-hand smoke. Breathing in second-hand smoke is also called passive smoking.

Third-hand smoke is also harmful. This is the tobacco chemicals that stay on surfaces and in dust after tobacco has been smoked.

It is most concerning that significant amounts of chemicals can be found in fabrics long after someone last smoked near them.

The effect of second-hand smoke on children

Tamariki (children) with parents who smoke are much more likely to get sick. They are also more likely to be admitted to hospital and even die from sudden unexpected death in infancy (previously called cot death). They are also a lot more likely to start smoking when they get older.

Second-hand smoke is particularly bad for tamariki because they have small bodies, and they breathe faster than adults. Also, their lungs and immune systems are not as well developed.

Tamariki can breathe second-hand smoke in many places. For example, at home, in the car, at other people's homes and out in public.

Pēpi (babies) can be exposed to second-hand smoke even before they are born if their mother smokes while she is pregnant. This can make the pēpi grow slowly, increasing the risk of a low birth weight. These pēpi can sometimes have ongoing lung and developmental problems during childhood.

Protecting others from second-hand smoke

If you smoke, becoming smokefree is the best way to protect those around you as well as being best for you. For help, talk to your general practice team or pharmacist. Or contact Quitline on 0800-778-778 or contact a stop-smoking service in your area.

Make your home and car smokefree. Make sure anyone who wishes to smoke does so outside.

Smoking in only one part of the house does not help. The invisible gases from second-hand smoke can easily spread through the house.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Smokefree – Secondhand smoke

  More information about second-hand smoke and its effect on people and animals.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed April 2025.

Sources

Page reference: 48031

Review key: HIBSF-16604