How to avoid secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke is a known cause of cancer and is known to cause more damage then the what smoker suffers. But what can be done? There are smokers everywhere. How to avoid them ? How to politely ask them to leave ?

Secondhand smoke is classified as a “known human carcinogen” (cancer-causing agent) by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US National Toxicology Program, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization.

Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical compounds. More than 250 of these chemicals are known to be harmful, and at least 69 are known to cause cancer.

SHS has been linked to lung cancer. There is also some evidence suggesting it may be linked with childhood leukemia and cancers of the larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), brain, bladder, rectum, stomach, and breast.

The womenshealth.gov website offers some suggestions on how to reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke:

* Ask smokers not to smoke in your home or car.
* If you are near someone who is smoking, keep the windows open.
* Politely ask people not to smoke around you. Mention that it makes you cough and your eyes itch.
* Avoid areas, such as restaurants or bars, where smoking is allowed.