Tobacco kills over 8 million people every year and destroys our environment, further harming human health, through the cultivation, production, distribution, consumption, and post-consumer waste.
Direct and secondhand smoke exposure. The use of tobacco in indoor public places and workplaces, including at homes, contributes to emission of toxicants in the air, thereby contributing to air pollution. The bystanders and others, who don’t use tobacco, are also indirectly exposed to these pollutants.
Thirdhand smoke. Third-hand smoke is the residue of tobacco smoke and its constituent chemicals that remain on surfaces and in dust after tobacco has been smoked. These can have an effect on the environment and air quality when they react with oxidants and other compounds in the environment and yield secondary pollutants. This can result in significant cleaning costs to get rid of residues and can also harm health of infants and toddlers if exposed to thirdhand smoke.