'Third hand smoke' warning issued as world-first law is instated

Lawmakers in California are raising awareness over the potential harms of third-hand smoke by implementing never-before-seen legislation.

For years, warnings have been issued on the risks of secondhand smoke inhalation, also known as 'passive smoking'.

This describes smoke being involuntarily inhaled from other people's tobacco burning - whether it be in the form of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or shisha - with thousands of toxic chemicals and carcinogens being breathed in.

This occurrence has already been linked to a rise in serious health issues in non-smokers, like cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems, with children and pets being especially vulnerable, with cot death, asthma, and bacterial meningitis being a few of the possible health complications affecting kids (via Cancer Research UK).

Third-hand smoke inhalation, however, is a much lesser-discussed enigma, despite experts now believing it to be just as, if not more, toxic.

Third hand smoke has been linked to serious ill health (Getty Stock Image)

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, thirdhand smoke refers to the toxic residue from tobacco or e-cigarette smoke that clings to surfaces like furniture, walls, clothes, and even skin, long after smoking stops.

New studies have proven that this residue poses serious health risks by releasing harmful chemicals - like nicotine, or carcinogens like formaldehyde - onto substances, whereby it can be ingested, absorbed, or re-emitted.

Apparently, this can see a person's chances of developing cancer and heart disease considerably heightened, as well as lung illness and congenital disabilities.

With this tragic reality in mind, California governors have decided to demand homeowners make it known if they've ever smoked or vaped inside their property, if they ever decide to sell it.

Potential buyers must then be informed in writing that the property comes with third-hand smoke inhalation risks.

"Thirdhand smoke is not just an irritating smell in the home," UC San Francisco professor emeritus of medicine, Dr Neal Benowitz, emphasised recently.

Homeowners must now disclose if they've smoked when selling their house (Getty Stock Image)

"It indicates that the home is contaminated with potentially harmful chemicals derived from tobacco smoke."

The medic, who also co-authored a recent paper on thirdhand smoke, also told Medical Xpress: "In mice, researchers have found that thirdhand smoke exposure causes DNA damage, can cause or promote cancer, cause immune dysfunction and behavior disturbances.

"Studies of people exposed to thirdhand smoke found changes in blood proteins that have been associated with inflammation and heart disease."

Benowitz added that this risk is higher in children, given that they 'crawl on the floor, can put objects contaminated with thirdhand smoke into their mouths, and can absorb it through the skin'.

People with allergies and asthma, and those who live in multi-unit low-cost housing, are also considered vulnerable.

California Assembly Bill 455, introduced by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Francisco) last year, passed unanimously.

The possible harms of third-hand smoke are also being included in the Golden State's Homeowners’ Guide to Environmental Hazards.