Second-hand Smoke Linked to 1.7 Million Deaths Globally in 2023, Affecting 767 Million Children, According to Lancet Study

A new study published in The Lancet reveals that an estimated 2.71 billion people worldwide were exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS) in 2023, contributing to nearly 1.7 million deaths globally. Approximately 767 million children aged up to 14 years were among those exposed, putting them at risk of long-term health effects such as respiratory problems and asthma. The research emphasizes that there is no safe level of SHS inhalation and calls for stricter smoke-free policies to protect non-smokers, especially women and children.