Secondhand cigarette smoke exposure has been repeatedly shown to increase risk of several health problems, including various kinds of cancer immune diseases, asthma attacks, and birth defects when pregnant women are exposed. While tobacco companies avidly protect the rights of smokers, non-smokers are not being adequately protected from secondhand smoke exposure in public spaces.
Areas where unwanted secondhand smoke exposure can occur include sidewalks, public parks, bus stops where passengers are forced to stand and wait, and areas immediately outside buildings that forbid smoking including children's hospitals. Because the toxins are airborne, they travel into areas where smoking is forbidden and exposure is almost impossible to avoid.