Second-hand smoke causes to nearly 1.7M deaths globally - study
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that second-hand smoke exposure contributed to nearly 1.7 million deaths globally in 2023. The research highlights that over 2.7 billion people, including hundreds of millions of children, are exposed to harmful tobacco smoke.
Why it matters
The findings underscore the persistent global health crisis caused by tobacco and the lack of safe levels of exposure to second-hand smoke.
A woman smokes an electronic cigarette in Paris on February 3, 2026. (Photo by Julie SEBADELHA / AFP)
PARIS - More than 2.7 billion people including children have been exposed to second-hand smoke globally, contributing to nearly 1.7 million deaths in 2023, according to study published Tuesday in The Lancet.
Tobacco remains a leading cause of disease globally, the study said, noting many "non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke" were among the estimate total of 8 million people who died in 2023 of smoking-related illnesses.
"Exposure to second-hand smoke is a globally recognized health risk, with no safe level of inhalation," it said.
READ: Manila groups ask city gov't to ban indoor smoking
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