Tobacco smoking

A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product" ^[1]. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.

The concept name of the carbon footprint originates from ecological footprint discussion.^[2] The carbon footprint is a subset of the ecological footprint and of the more comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

An individual, nation, or organization's carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it, e.g. by technological developments, better process and product management, changed Green Public or Private Procurement (GPP), Carbon capture, consumption strategies, and others.

The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects, such as solar or wind energy or reforestation, represents one way of reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsetting.

Tobacco smoke generates a wide range of harmful chemicals and is known to cause cancer. It is well known that passive smoking causes a wide range of problems to the passive smoker (the person who is in the same room with a smoker and is not himself/herself a smoker) ranging from burning eyes, nose, and throat irritation to cancer, bronchitis, severe asthma, and a decrease in lung function.

April 19, 2010 -- Secondhand smoke exposure contributes to as many as 40% of the roughly 30 million cases of chronic sinusitis among adults in the U.S., a new study shows.

Chronic sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is defined as allergic and non-allergic sinus inflammation lasting at least three months. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, nasal congestion, facial pain, headache, and daytime or nighttime coughing.

In a 2006 report, the surgeon general estimated that 60% of nonsmokers in the U.S., or 126 million adults and children, are routinely exposed to secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke exposure has been implicated as a risk factor for a number of respiratory ailments, including asthma and other conditions including heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome, and cancers of the lung and sinus.

From tobacco smoke to kitchens, fireplaces, candles and incense burners, brush and wildfires, smoke within the home is increasingly common, and during cold or hot months when the windows are closed, indoor air quality and health can deteriorate. The air quality in the average home is five times worse than outside, and with smoke adding to the problem, it’s no surprise that serious health problems can result.