November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the American Lung Association is working to teach people about the dangers of smoking.
But smoking doesn't just cause lung problems, it can also cause problems with your heart.
It's a scary thing because although many smokers are aware of the risks to their own bodies, they might not be aware of the risks they pose to others.
American Lung Association officials say breathing secondhand smoke can increase a non-smoker's risk of heart attack by 30%. Their advice is to stay away from it as much as possible. "Limit your exposure to secondhand smoke. Do what you can to not be around secondhand smoke, because it is affecting your body,” says Frankie Vigil, American Lung Association Nevada.
Vigil says nationally about 18% of adults are smokers. Here in Nevada that number is a little bit higher at 19%.
And the people exposed to that smoke, even if they don't smoke themselves, have higher risks of health problems too. Those who suffer from pre-existing lung or heart conditions are especially at risk. "We look forward to a time when everywhere is smoke free because we know that it will greatly improve our community's health."
If you're trying to quit smoking or dealing with related health issues, the American Lung Association has resources to help. You can call their hotline at 1-800-LUNG-USA or go online.
