Tobacco Smoke
Exposure Definition
Tobacco smoke exposure from active smoking or secondhand smoke. Contains thousands of chemicals including nicotine, tar, and carcinogens. Sources include cigarettes, cigars, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and environmental tobacco smoke.
Proxies
| Name | Unit | Measurement | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotinine | ng/mL | Serum or urine cotinine | Biomarker assays |
| Pack-years | pack-years | Self-reported smoking history | Questionnaire |
Biological Systems Affected
respiratory
Inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired mucociliary clearance, emphysema, COPD, lung cancer
cardiovascular
Endothelial dysfunction, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, CAD, stroke
Sensitive Developmental Windows
adolescence (10-24)
Smoking initiation; addiction establishment; lung development
GxE Highlights
No GxE highlights recorded.
Tissue-Specific Notes
lung— inflammation
References
- 1.WHO (2023). Tobacco smoking and health. [link]