Photo: AFP
TO effectively fight diseases and viruses, we require healthy environments that are free of pollution. Through normal gaseous exchange, healthy lungs ensure enough oxygen for every cell in the body to thrive – including the cells in our immune system. If our lungs are loaded with toxins such as nicotine from smoking, they can’t adequately oxygenate vital cells in the body.
National policies prohibit smoking in public except in restricted zones. This helps reduce second- hand inhalation of smoke. But we must be aware of another danger of tobacco smoke: Third-hand smoke (THS) is when smoke residue settles and lingers on walls, carpets, toys and so on wherever there is any smoking even when the smoker is no longer in the area and long after active smoking has stopped.
