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Rumours About Second-hand Smoke

Can you tell what's smoke and mirrors when it comes to smoking cigarettes?

true or false
Smoking in only one room in the house provides protection from second-hand smoke.
TRUE FALSE
Wrong! Even smoking in just one room means second-hand smoke will remain. You may not be able to see the smoke after someone has put their cigarette out, but it will still be there. The only way to keep a house free from second-hand smoke and provide protection is to make it a no-smoking zone.
That's right! Even smoking in just one room means second-hand smoke will remain. You may not be able to see the smoke after someone has put their cigarette out, but it will still be there. The only way to keep a house free from second-hand smoke and provide protection is to make it a no-smoking zone.
true or false
Smoking at an open door or out of a window means the smoke will blow away.
TRUE FALSE
Sorry! While standing at an open door to smoke or smoking out of a window will help, unfortunately, second-hand smoke doesn’t all blow away. Smoke is not just what you see; 85% of smoke is invisible and not all of this goes outside. If a person has smoked at an open door or out of a window, there will be second-hand smoke in that room.
Absolutely right! While standing at an open door to smoke or smoking out of a window will help, unfortunately, second-hand smoke doesn’t all blow away. Smoke is not just what you see; 85% of smoke is invisible and not all of this goes outside. If a person has smoked at an open door or out of a window, there will be second-hand smoke in that room.
true or false
Smoking out of the car window is dangerous and harms the people in the car.
TRUE FALSE
That's right. If you smoke in a car, even with all the windows wide open and the fan on full blast, there will still be second-hand smoke in the car and the passengers will be inhaling it.
Wrong! If you smoke in a car, even with all the windows wide open and the fan on full blast, there will still be second-hand smoke in the car and the passengers will be inhaling it.
true or false
Shisha, waterpipes, and hookahs don’t give off second-hand smoke because of the way they are smoked.
TRUE FALSE
It's actually false! Research has shown that levels of carbon monoxide for shisha smoke are 35 times higher than cigarette smoke. Shisha smoke also contains higher levels of other toxic or cancer-causing substances. This means second-hand shisha smoke is just as bad as, and possibly worse, than second-hand cigarette smoke.
You're right! Research has shown that levels of carbon monoxide for shisha smoke are 35 times higher than cigarette smoke. Shisha smoke also contains higher levels of other toxic or cancer-causing substances. This means second-hand shisha smoke is just as bad as, and possibly worse, than second-hand cigarette smoke.

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

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