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Nearly 1.7 million people worldwide died from exposure to secondhand smoke in 2023, according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health.
Secondhand smoke refers to smoke inhaled by people near others using tobacco products. The study found that more than 2.7 billion people globally, including around 767 million children, were exposed to it in 2023.
Researchers analyzed data from 204 countries and territories spanning 1990 to 2023. They linked secondhand smoke exposure to 1.66 million deaths and 44.8 million years of healthy life lost in 2023.
Ischemic heart disease was identified as the leading cause of death associated with secondhand smoke exposure among adults. Among children, exposure was linked to 5.2 million cases of lower respiratory infection in 2023.
The proportion of people exposed to secondhand smoke has declined since 1990, the study noted, but the overall number exposed has remained largely stable due to population growth. Exposure has increased in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
The researchers said secondhand smoke remains a major global health risk and called for stronger tobacco-control measures, particularly to protect women and children.
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