Hidden Health Risks of Tobacco Smoke and Odour

DIPAK KURMI

Tobacco consumption remains one of the most formidable public health challenges of the 21st century, responsible for millions of deaths annually across the globe. While active tobacco use through smoking or chewing is widely acknowledged for its harmful health impacts, there is a growing body of scientific evidence pointing towards another, often underestimated danger—environmental and olfactory exposure to tobacco products. Specifically, the smoke from cigarettes and the volatile chemical odours emitted during the preparation of chewing tobacco pose serious health risks not only to users but also to non-users who share the same air. These dangers, while less visible, are no less deadly.

Cigarette smoke, for instance, is a toxic cocktail of over 7,000 chemical compounds, with at least 250 identified as harmful to human health and more than 70 classified as known carcinogens. This smoke is not a simple gas but a complex aerosol, comprising both particulate matter and gaseous components that penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Among the most dangerous substances in this mix is nicotine, a highly addictive alkaloid that directly affects the central nervous system, promoting dependence and altering brain chemistry. Carbon monoxide (CO), another key constituent, binds to hemoglobin more effectively than oxygen, drastically reducing oxygen delivery to vital organs. Additionally, substances like formaldehyde, benzene, and arsenic—each recognized by global health agencies as carcinogens—are consistently found in tobacco smoke. The sticky residue known as tar accumulates in the lungs, impairing respiratory function and leading to chronic diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema, and ultimately, lung cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that the dangers of cigarette smoke extend beyond the smoker. Secondhand smoke (SHS)—also known as passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke—is now understood to be a major contributor to premature deaths and disease. WHO estimates that SHS causes approximately 1.2 million deaths annually. Exposure, especially in enclosed spaces, has been linked to an array of serious health conditions, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lower respiratory infections in children. The evidence is irrefutable: even if one does not actively consume tobacco, merely being in its vicinity can be lethal.

While the risks of cigarette smoke are well-documented, what remains largely underexplored in mainstream public health discourse is the olfactory and airborne chemical exposure from chewing tobacco, especially during its preparation. This form of smokeless tobacco, prevalent in many parts of South Asia, North America, and Africa, releases a distinct and potent odour when being processed—an odour that is more than just an unpleasant smell. In fact, it is a cloud of volatile chemical emissions that includes tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

TSNAs are among the most powerful carcinogens in smokeless tobacco, formed during the curing and fermentation of tobacco leaves. VOCs, such as acetaldehyde and toluene, can cause immediate irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and prolonged exposure may impair liver and kidney function. PAHs, often a byproduct of incomplete combustion or drying of tobacco, are known to damage cellular DNA and promote tumour formation. Alarmingly, these compounds can become airborne during the preparation of chewing tobacco, especially in poorly ventilated environments, exposing bystanders, including children and the elderly, to potentially hazardous levels of toxicants. 

Scientific research indicates that while the precise health risks from inhaling chewing tobacco odour are still under investigation, there is credible concern about chronic respiratory ailments and long-term carcinogenic effects among individuals who are regularly exposed. For workers in tobacco processing industries or families where homemade preparation of such products is common, the consequences may be more severe than previously believed.

The health impacts of such exposures are both extensive and profound. Whether through direct use or passive inhalation, tobacco in all its forms contributes to a spectrum of serious health issues. Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common consequences, as nicotine elevates blood pressure and contributes to arterial plaque formation, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are frequently observed in those with long-term exposure. Most alarmingly, cancer—particularly of the lungs, oral cavity, throat, and esophagus—has a well-established link to both smoking and smokeless tobacco. On a neurological level, continuous exposure to nicotine has been found to affect mental health, contributing to anxiety disorders, depression, and addiction.

Certain segments of the population are especially vulnerable to the effects of tobacco exposure. Children and infants, for example, absorb pollutants at a faster rate due to their developing physiology. They also breathe more rapidly than adults, increasing their relative intake of airborne toxins. Pregnant women exposed to tobacco smoke or vapours face higher risks of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight in infants. Perhaps most alarmingly, workers in tobacco cultivation or processing—especially in informal sectors without regulated protective measures—are subject to chronic daily exposure to these harmful substances without adequate safeguards, increasing their lifetime risk of developing tobacco-related illnesses.

Given the multi-faceted risks associated with both cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco odour, a strong and comprehensive public health response is not only justified but urgently required. One of the most effective interventions remains the enforcement of indoor smoking bans, which not only protect non-smokers from secondhand exposure but also help de-normalize smoking in public settings. Additionally, there is a growing need to educate communities, particularly in rural and underprivileged regions, about the dangers of preparing and using smokeless tobacco indoors.

Workplace safety protocols must also be revised to include protective equipment (PPE) for workers handling tobacco leaves or working in processing units. Gloves, masks, and proper ventilation systems should be mandatory to minimize chemical exposure. Government and non-governmental organisations should collaborate to promote cessation programs, providing users with access to counseling, nicotine replacement therapies, and psychological support.

Scientific awareness must also translate into policy change. Regulatory frameworks should classify tobacco preparation odours and emissions as potentially hazardous, particularly in industrial or enclosed residential settings. Further research funding is needed to examine the long-term effects of low-level but continuous exposure to tobacco vapours, which may prove to be the next frontier in tobacco control science.

The health hazards of tobacco are not confined to the cigarette smoker or the chewing tobacco user alone. A growing body of evidence makes it clear that indirect exposure to cigarette smoke and the chemical odours released during the preparation of chewing tobacco present serious, often overlooked risks. These exposures, especially in vulnerable populations and unregulated settings, contribute silently yet significantly to the global burden of disease. Addressing these threats will require not only continued public education and individual behavior change but also structural reforms and policy enforcement. Only through a holistic and science-driven approach can we hope to reduce the pervasive and invisible harm that tobacco continues to inflict on global health.

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