One can even become addicted to second hand smoke if exposed to sufficient quantities.
Years ago, before I quit, a young man worked for me as a real estate agent. His wife worked as a waitress in a cigar bar. Neither smoked and they were both very much into organic, vegetarian food and healthy lifestyles (other than her job). She'd worked there for about six months when we had an opening for a receptionist. Her husband had mentioned to us in the past that she wanted to get away from the cigar bar so we hired her. The first day was great and she picked up the phone routine like it was second nature. The second day she seemed rather distracted and made several mistakes. The third day she was a total mess and left in the early afternoon. The next day her husband, very embarrassed and apologetic, said she'd gone back to the cigar bar. He even mentioned some suspicions that he had about her and her boss.
Knowing what I know now, she displayed all the symptoms of CT nicotine withdrawal. She wasn't having an affair with the boss, she was addicted.
Yep, second hand smoke can be some powerful stuff.
Myth: Smoking only affects me, not my family or friends.
Fact: Exposure to second-hand smoke can be extremely harmful. Researchers tested the levels of cotinine (a nicotine by-product in the body) in the non-smoker’s blood, saliva, or urine. Nicotine, cotinine, carbon monoxide, and other evidence of second-hand smoke exposure have been found in the body fluids of non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.
