In the United States alone, the American Cancer Society says secondhand smoke is responsible for an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 deaths from heart disease in people who are not current smokers and about 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmoking adults. The unwelcomed pollutant also causes other respiratory problems in nonsmokers, including coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort and reduced lung function.
Three places where people should be especially concerned about exposure to secondhand smoke are: