Secondhand smoke and vapor are dangerous, at any level.
Exposure to secondhand smoke causes an estimated 19,600 deaths each year in the United States.1 Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 dangerous chemicals, including 69 that cause cancer. And the vapor emitted from e-cigarettes and other vaping devices contains cancer-causing agents, heavy metals and ultrafine particulates.2
What kind of toxic chemicals could you be inhaling when you’re around someone who is smoking or vaping? Find out.
Want to protect yourself and loved ones? Click here to learn about policies in different communities and spaces. Tobacco-free policies protect health, save money, and support communities. Whether at home, on the job, or out in public, strong smoke-free rules reduce exposure to harmful secondhand smoke and vapor — and help people quit.
Tobacco-free policies protect health, save money, and support communities. Whether at home, on the job, or out in public, strong smoke-free rules reduce exposure to harmful secondhand smoke and vapor — and help people quit.
Colorado’s Clean Indoor Air Act, first passed in 2006 and expanded in 2019, made big strides toward healthy, smoke-free public spaces. The updated law banned vaping in most indoor areas, removed exemptions for hotels and small businesses, and pushed smoking and vaping 25 feet away from building entrances.
But gaps remain. Smoking and vaping still happen in outdoor places where people gather — restaurant patios, parks, sidewalks, and event spaces. Secondhand smoke lingers, even outdoors. Studies show it can reach harmful levels just a few feet away.
Secondhand smoke and vapor increase the risk of asthma, respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Children and infants face even greater risks, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, and asthma attacks. The vapor from e-cigarettes is actually an aerosol that contains nicotine and other toxic chemicals — not just “harmless water.”3
The solution? Work with local decision-makers to support local smoke-free policies that cover outdoor gathering spaces. These rules protect everyone and help smokers cut back or quit. Research shows that youth in smoke-free communities are less likely to start smoking.
The health risks are serious: Secondhand smoke contains 4,000 harmful chemicals, including 69 known to cause cancer. It kills 19,600 people who don’t smoke in the U.S. each year. Kids exposed to secondhand smoke face higher risks of asthma attacks, ear and respiratory infections, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Marijuana smoke and the aerosols produced by e-cigarettes also contain toxic particles.
Owners and managers also face costs: Smoking drives up cleaning, repair, and fire damage costs. A single apartment cleanup can run between $4,000 and $15,000. Cigarettes cause a significant share of residential fires and related deaths in Colorado.
The good news: As of 2018, all public housing properties must be smoke-free. Many private owners and cities — including San Luis — have adopted similar protections. These policies improve resident health and reduce property costs.
Live in multi-unit housing? Ask your landlord about going smoke-free.
Own or manage a property? Contact Teddy Montoya at Teddy.Montoya@dhha.org for help setting a policy.
Multi-unit housing — like apartments, condos, and subsidized housing — poses a unique risk. Smoke and vapor travel through vents, walls, and even tiny cracks. Up to 65% of air can pass between units.
The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act only covers shared indoor spaces in multi-unit buildings, not individual units. That means residents can still face secondhand smoke in their own homes unless the property adopts a smoke-free policy.
Even with statewide indoor bans, some workplaces — like cigar bars, hookah lounges, tobacco retailers, and outdoor job sites — still allow smoking. That exposes workers and customers to dangerous smoke and vapor.
Secondhand smoke causes heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.4 Vapor from e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals, too — especially when used in close quarters. And tobacco use on the job drives up health costs, insurance rates, and lost productivity.
Tobacco-free worksite policies protect employees, reduce costs, and boost morale. Businesses that go tobacco-free see fewer sick days, lower health expenses, and cleaner facilities. The savings can add up to $6,000 a year per employee who quits.5