Figures for second-hand smoke deaths similar to road fatalities

Living with a smoker is bad for your health — a study has found that the number of deaths from exposure to second-hand smoke is broadly comparable to the number of lives lost on the country’s roads.

The effect on children is also significant. The report’s authors estimate exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is causing upwards of two million additional respiratory symptom days each year in both Ireland and Scotland.

The report, entitled ‘Indoor Air Pollution and Health’ measured indoor air pollution (IAP) levels in 100 homes in Ireland and Scotland.