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Global second-hand smoke exposure and tobacco control

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2026-09-10 21:39 UTC → 2026-09-11 23:56 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A global study published in The Lancet Public Health indicates that approximately 2.71 billion people, or one in three people worldwide, were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2023. This exposure included 767 million children under the age of 15 and contributed to an estimated 1.66 million deaths and 44.8 million years of healthy life lost. While the age-standardized prevalence of exposure has declined by 22.2% since 1990, the absolute number of affected individuals has remained stable or increased due to population growth. Regional disparities are notable, with exposure nearly doubling in Sub-Saharan Africa and increasing by 72.1% in North Africa and the Middle East, while Latin America and the Caribbean saw the largest declines. Ischemic heart disease was identified as a primary cause of health loss. In Mexico, the discussion has shifted toward tobacco control strategies. Amidst approximately 14 million smokers and 81,000 annual tobacco-related deaths, experts are debating the use of regulated nicotine alternatives. Rather than outright bans on products such as vapes and nicotine pouches, which may encourage illegal markets, some representatives suggest adopting differentiated regulation models similar to those in Sweden and the United Kingdom to reduce conventional cigarette use. Recent research from the University of Waterloo and the CDC has identified a significant gap in smoker awareness. While most smokers recognize the link between smoking and lung cancer, significantly fewer understand the associated cardiovascular risks and the specific dangers posed by second-hand smoke.

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