Breathing cigarette or bidi smoke at home can harm other family members.

fact_checkWhat experts say

• infoSmoke from a lit cigarette or bidi goes into the air. Anyone nearby can breathe it in, and it can damage their health.123
• infoSecondhand smoke has thousands of harmful chemicals. It raises the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and serious breathing problems.1234
• infoThere is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Opening windows or smoking in another room does not protect people.1234
• infoChildren are more at risk. Smoke at home raises their chance of asthma, chest infections, ear infections, coughs and colds.14
• infoPregnant women who breathe in smoke are more likely to have a baby born early or with low birthweight. The baby also has a higher risk of sudden infant death.14

checklistWhat to do

• check_circleThe best protection is for the smoker to quit completely. This protects the whole family.1
• check_circleIf quitting is not possible yet, always smoke outside the home, and ask visitors to smoke outside too.1
• check_circleKeep the home and car smoke-free. Do not smoke in a car with children.124
• check_circleDo not rely on opening windows or smoking in another room. Smoke stays in the air for hours and spreads through the house.14

menu_bookSources

1. 1Passive smokingnhs.ukopen_in_new
2. 2Facts About Second-Hand Smokewho.intopen_in_new
3. 3Tobacco and nicotinewho.intopen_in_new
4. 4Tobacco: Why is smoking an issue for non-smokers?who.intopen_in_new

Updated 11 Nov 2026