In some instances exposures to smoke outside the home carried an even greater risk. Women who were exposed to smokers in the work place had a 39% increased risk of developing lung cancer. Women exposed in a social setting of at least two hours a week for over six months had a 50% greater risk of developing lung cancer than non-exposed women. Finally, women who were exposed to smoke both as a child and an adult had nearly twice the risk of developing lung cancer than women exposed only as adults.

The exposure to passive smoke causes at least 3,000 known deaths a year according to the Environmental Protection Agency. To promote a healthier lifestyle do:

• avoid passive smoke as much as possible
• encourage smokers to try to quit, for their health as well as yours
• prevent children from being exposed to passive smoke on a regular basis
• encourage restaurants, shops, and other social settings to provide no smoking areas; if they won't support those that will