What You Can Do to Avoid Secondhand Smoke

Even if you neither smoke nor live with someone who does, everyone has walked past someone smoking a cigarette before—whether walking around town or past homes in your own neighborhood. You’ve smelled the smoke and breathed in the chemicals. Whether you realize it or not, that secondhand smoke is still harmful for your body. Colorado has come a long way in protecting people in public areas from secondhand smoke, but you can still be exposed and risk health problems, including side effects in your feet.

So what can you do? Well, there are ways to minimize your contact with smoke from other people’s cigarettes, particularly if you know or are close to someone who uses them regularly. Here are a few ways you can do that:

• Set smoke-free rules for your home and car – Don’t allow friends or family to smoke in your home or your car at all.
• Stick to smoke-free restaurants and businesses – By Colorado law, people who are smoking must stay at least 15 feet away from any public business entrances, so only visit businesses and restaurants that enforce this.
• Warn your children about secondhand smoke – If you have kids, warn them about the negative effects of secondhand smoke as well as smoking firsthand.
• Encourage loved ones to quit tobacco – If someone you care about smokes, encourage them to get help to quit. Then support them through the tough transition.

It’s still always possible to encounter smoke from other’s cigarettes, but Colorado has already made great strides to reduce your risk. Taking a few extra precautionary steps will only help you take better care of your health and avoid unpleasant side effects from tobacco smoke. It’s one of the best things you can do for your family and yourself—and your feet.