Global Second-Hand Smoke Exposure Contributes to 1.66 Million Premature Deaths Annually, Lancet Study Reveals

A study published in The Lancet on September 8, 2026, found that over 2.7 billion people worldwide, including 767 million children, were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2023. This exposure is estimated to have caused approximately 1.66 million premature deaths, with ischemic heart disease and respiratory infections in children being major contributors. The study emphasizes the need for stricter tobacco control measures to protect non-smokers.