Second-hand smoke linked to 1.7m deaths, study says

Second-hand smoke exposure contributed to nearly 1.7 million premature deaths worldwide in 2023, according to a study published in The Lancet.

The study estimated that more than 2.7 billion people, including 767 million children aged 0 to 14, were exposed to second-hand smoke globally in 2023.

It said tobacco-related illnesses caused an estimated 8 million deaths in 2023, including many among non-smokers exposed to other people's smoke.

The study estimated that second-hand smoke exposure caused 5.2 million respiratory tract infections in children in 2023. It also identified ischemic heart disease, a condition linked to insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle, as a leading cause of premature disability and illness related to exposure.

The study reviewed research in the US National Institutes of Health database PubMed and population surveys to estimate exposure and disease burden in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023.

It said global smoking prevalence has fallen significantly since 1990, but the absolute number of people exposed to second-hand smoke has stayed stable because of population growth and increased exposure in Africa and the Middle East.

The study said women are disproportionately affected, particularly in regions where smoking among women is low. It called for stronger tobacco controls in public places and homes to better protect women and children.