Second hand smoke

[Silicate Wielder]

I know smoking stunts growth, but what about second hand smoke?

My parents have smoked my entire life up until 2 years ago when my parents divrced and my mom quit.

I was around the second hand smoke alot and it always caused my throat to sort of close up, so I tried to stay away from it when I could.

[Miri]

I know smoking stunts growth, but what about second hand smoke?

My parents have smoked my entire life up until 2 years ago when my parents divrced and my mom quit.

I was around the second hand smoke alot and it always caused my throat to sort of close up, so I tried to stay away from it when I could.

It isn't good to breathe in second hand smoke either. I get the throat issues to, and my parents some occasionally. When they do, I get out of the way.

I wouldn't say it "stunts your growth", but it all depends on the level of exposure.

[Silicate Wielder]

Well I was exposed to it alot, my dad was a heavy smoker and often wanted me in the same room as him so he could keep an eye on me (He is very paranoid about everyone wanting to kill him, even his own family.)

[GigglyAbby]

How is your height in comparison with you dad's -- uncles -- and grandfathers? It's possible that if you're close to or taller than your height -- it didn't do that for you.

When I researched it online -- I saw many sites repeat the EXACT same statement word for word [it does stunt your growth] or that there's no true conclusive answer [despite a minor study that tended to show it did].

Sadly -- anyone near a smoker a lot can develop health issues. Perhaps -- discussing this with your doctor the next time you see him or her can give you answers....

[DerBear]

Its not great for you obviously but honestly you're going to be fine I mean its not like you ever took it in yourself. I guess the only thing you can do is compare your height to your male relatives and if you come out around average among them then you can safely say you're fine.

[Rina]

Second hand smoke can stunt your growth, it didn't in my case. My mother used to smoke and I'm taller than her and my sister still. But, breathing it in is still definitely not good. It can effect breathing, the heart, and can cause certain types of cancer. Honestly, your parents shouldn't have been smoking in the same room as you. My mother always went outside to smoke (though, in cases, I still inhaled a little).

If you think it affected you, just ask your doctor about it really.

[Starscream]

Health Effects: Children

In children, secondhand smoke causes the following:3

Ear infections
More frequent and severe asthma attacks
Respiratory symptoms (e.g., coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath)
Respiratory infections (i.e., bronchitis, pneumonia)
A greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

In children aged 18 months or younger, secondhand smoke exposure is responsible for—4

An estimated 150,000–300,000 new cases of bronchitis and pneumonia annually
Approximately 7,500–15,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States
Health Effects: Adults

In adults who have never smoked, secondhand smoke can cause heart disease and/or lung cancer.3

Heart Disease
For nonsmokers, breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk for heart attack. People who already have heart disease are at especially high risk.3,5
Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their heart disease risk by 25–30%.3
Secondhand smoke exposure causes an estimated 46,000 heart disease deaths annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States.6

Lung Cancer
Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their lung cancer risk by 20–30%.3
Secondhand smoke exposure causes an estimated 3,400 lung cancer deaths annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States.6

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/general_facts/

Second hand smoke is almost just as bad, maybe even worse.

[Sweet Smart Smexi]

I used to get lots of secong hand smoke from my father before he moved out

[Prince of Rome]

Second hand smoke is very bad for the lungs, and you are still at risk for lung disease by being around second hand smoke but you're only at risk if you're around it all the time.