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Cigarette Smoke and Secondhand Smoke
Exposure to secondhand smoke
Information about secondhand Smoke
Exposed to cigarette smoke at work
Risks to employees exposed to smoke in the workplace
Illnesses caused by secondhand Smoke
How secondhand smoke can damage your health
News stories we have published about secondhand smoke
News about exposure to smoke at work
Making a compensation claim for an illness caused by secondhand smoke
Advice about how to make a personal injury claim
Helpful Links related to smoking
Links to organisations which may be of further help
A report on passive smoking by the Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians
Going Smoke Free
Exposure to secondhand smoke
Information about secondhand smoke
Smoke from cigarettes, cigars and pipes can be very harmful to your health whether you smoke yourself or breath in smoke from someone else (secondhand smoke).
In years gone by, smoking was accepted in just about every public place including hospitals, aeroplanes, offices and cinemas; however, as time passed by it became less and less socially acceptable until the early 21st century when there were only a few places where you could be exposed to secondhand smoke including shopping centres, pubs and nightclubs.
The danger from second-hand smoke or passive smoking has now been minimised; however as of 1st July 2007, the Government brought in a total ban on smoking in all public places in England. By this time, smoking bans were already in place in Scotland, The Republic of Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland, leaving only England to follow the example of the other countries in the United Kingdom.
Exposed to cigarette smoke at Work
Risks to employees exposed to smoke in the workplace
Until 1st July 2007, a lot of employees were still exposed to smoke in their workplace such as waiters, waitresses and bar staff.
As the smoking ban has now come into effect, there shouldn't be too many workplaces where employees can still be exposed to smoke; however, as smoking will still be allowed in homes and other places considered to be "homes", such as residential homes, care homes or prisons, people working as care assistants, nurses and prison officers for example may still be at risk from breathing in second hand smoke at work.
Illnesses caused by secondhand smoke
How secondhand smoke can damage your health
By now, everyone is probably aware that breathing in smoke can cause lung cancer; however, there are many more illnesses and side effects (some just as serious) which smoking can cause, worsen or create an increased risk of developing. These include:
- Increased risk of developing colds and flu
- Decreased sense of taste and smell
- Impotence and Infertility
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Heart Attacks & Heart Disease
- Strokes
- Emphysema
- Throat Cancer
- Mouth Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Cancer of the Kidney
- Cancer of the Pancreas
- Cervical Cancer
- Cancer of the Stomach
- Stomach Ulcers
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Over 100,000 people die every year in the United Kingdom due to smoking and approximately half of all smokers can expect to die of a smoke-related disease.
News Stories we have published about secondhand smoke
News about exposure to smoke at work
In the past, we have published news stories about the risks of secondhand smoke and also about the campaign for a total smoking ban in public places in the United Kingdom. To read these stories follow the links below or visit our News Desk.
22nd December 2006 - Earlier this month the Government finally revealed the date when the smoking ban in England is due to begin
18th September 2006 - Passive Smoking Register
27th October 2005 - Shambolic smoking ban won’t prevent litigation, lawyers warn
2nd September 2005 - Smoking bans a red herring, leading law firm warns
29th December 2004 - Thompsons urges staff to support ASH petition
Making a compensation claim for an illness caused by secondhand smoke
Advice about how to make a personal injury claim
Thompsons Solicitors are only able to help Trade Union members to make personal injury claims relating to passive smoking injuries. If you are not a Trade Union member, apologies but we will be unable to assist you with this particular type of case.
If you are a Trade Union member and are interested in exploring the possibility of making a personal injury compensation claim relating to passive smoking injuries, telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Helpful Links related to smoking
Links to organisations which may be of further help
ASH (Action on Smoke and Health) - ASH is a campaigning public health charity working for a comprehensive societal response to tobacco aimed at achieving a sharp reduction and eventual elimination of the health problems caused by tobacco.
Giving up Smoking - advice and information on smoking and giving up from the NHS.
No Smoking Day - Held on the second Wednesday of March every year. This is the official Web site to support people who want to stop smoking on this day.
British Heart Foundation - "Give up before you clog up" campaign provides information about the damage caused by smoking whilst giving advice and guidance on methods for stopping smoking.
QUIT - QUIT is the national charity that helps people give up smoking.
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A report on passive smoking by the Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians
Going Smoke Free
Read "Going Smoke Free", a report on passive smoking by the Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians. Royal College of Physicians, 2005.
Reproduced by kind permission of the Royal College of Physicians
Extracted from: Going smoke-free: the medical case for clean air in the home, at work and in public places.
Contact us about your accident or injury
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