How does secondhand smoke contribute to cancer risk?
Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by smokers. Even if you do not smoke, exposure to secondhand smoke can still increase your risk of developing cancer. Secondhand smoke contains many of the same harmful chemicals found in the smoke inhaled directly by smokers. It is a known cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and may also increase the risk of other types of cancer.
