Even if you aren’t a smoker, you might not be safe from the harmful effects of cigarettes. You could be in danger of suffering from the ill effects of secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke is no trivial matter. Many of the health problems associated with smokers, such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems are just as dangerous for the nonsmokers around them. The risks for infants, children, and the elderly are even more dire. You might think that avoiding secondhand smoke is impossible, after all it is in the air all around us, but there are steps you can take to avoid secondhand smoke.
Here are some tips for avoiding secondhand smoke:
Make Your Own Boundaries
When it comes to your personal areas, such as your home or car, make your own boundaries to avoid secondhand smoke. This means asking friends and family to not smoke in areas that are personal, even if that’s just your bedroom. This shouldn’t cause any issues, but if for whatever reason someone you know does take issue with your set boundaries, you will need to hold your ground.
Make steadfast rules and do not feel guilty about them. Sometimes people can have misplaced guilt about asking people not to smoke around them, but there is no reason for it. This decision is for your health and your friends and loved ones should understand.
Change Your Patronage
If there are bars or restaurants that you frequently visit that allow smoking, you should seriously consider changing your patronage to somewhere that has a strict no-smoking policy.
Especially recently, there are a lot of areas and entire states that have now mandated no-smoking policies in restaurants and businesses. If you live in one of these places, finding a non-smoking business will be much easier for you. If you do not, you might need to scope out new places to patron. Most places will have a sign on the outside, or you can always call and ask what the policies are.
It is also good practice to call ahead when traveling to find out about smoking policies in restaurants, hotels, and certain rental car companies even.
For Your Loved Ones
Even more important than protecting your own health is protecting the health of your loved ones that cannot protect themselves. When it comes to the care of elderly loved ones and children, research and ask questions about the facilities that provide care. Make sure that your daycare facility and nursing or elderly care facilities have strict no smoking policies in place for their employees.
Be Polite
In any situation, be sure to remain polite. Even when you are confronted with a particularly rude or combative person, it is important to keep the moral high ground and remain as polite as possible. Focus on taking care of yourself and your loved ones.
Secondhand smoke is dangerous to your health; there is no doubt about the facts. You can follow these tips to avoid secondhand smoke and protect your health and the health of your loved ones.