Study finds billions exposed to second‑hand smoke, India has second‑largest number of people affected
A Lancet study using NIH PubMed data estimates that in 2023 roughly 2.7 billion people worldwide inhaled second‑hand smoke, including 767 million children aged 0‑14. The research identifies ischemic heart disease as the leading cause of premature death linked to the exposure and notes that children suffered about 5.2 million respiratory tract infections. In India, the same study reports that 444 million people were exposed to passive smoke in 2023, making the country the second‑largest in terms of exposed population after China. The authors call for stronger tobacco‑control policies to protect non‑smokers, especially children and women.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 10h later
Why it matters
Second‑hand smoke remains a major, preventable health risk for billions of people, particularly children, worldwide.
How this story developed
- Sep 7 Second-hand smoke deaths in India jump nearly 50% since 1990
- Sep 8 The study reveals that 444 million Indians were exposed to passive smoke in 2023.
