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Third-hand smoke: The hidden health hazard inside homes
The residue of second-hand smoke can linger for months or years on furniture, curtains, clothing and other surfaces.
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A 2022 study estimated that one in six adults in Singapore had been exposed to second-hand smoke by a household member.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Yvette Van Der Eijk
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For non-smokers, living with a smoker can be challenging. The desire to avoid being exposed to tobacco smoke clashes with the reluctance of the smoking family member to venture outside for every smoke break.
Many households end up with a compromise, for instance by restricting where in the home someone can smoke. As a result, despite the ban on smoking in most public places, many people remain exposed to second-hand smoke in their home.
