Global study reveals nearly 1.7 million deaths linked to second-hand smoke exposure in 2023

An estimated 2.71 billion people globally—representing nearly one-third of the world’s population were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2023, contributing to 1.66 million deaths and the loss of 44.8 million healthy years of life, according to a comprehensive study published in The Lancet Public Health.

The research, spanning 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023, highlights that while the proportion of the global population exposed to passive smoke has dropped by 22% over the decades, the absolute number of people affected has remained virtually unchanged due to rapid population growth.

Exposure rates surged particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Among the vulnerable populations impacted, approximately 767 million children aged zero to 14 were exposed to second-hand smoke.

For children, passive smoke was linked to 5.2 million lower respiratory infections. Among adults, ischemic heart disease emerged as the leading cause of mortality driven by second-hand smoke exposure.

The study also highlighted severe gender disparities, noting that women in regions like Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania were 59% more likely to be exposed than men, frequently due to low smoking prevalence among women juxtaposed with high domestic exposure.

Authors of the study emphasized that there is no safe level of inhalation and called on international governments to strictly enforce tobacco-control policies in homes and public spaces.