American author and journalist Norah Vincent, who is well-known for her social issue research, wrote about the negative impacts of secondhand smoke. As additional research showed that inhaling cigarette smoke from other people could have major health effects, this topic attracted a lot of attention in the late 20th century.

Vincent's observation draws attention to a prevalent issue that is frequently disregarded: people in close proximity to smokers are unintentionally exposed to harmful substances. It's similar to walking down the street next to an automobile exhaust pipe; you don't choose to be there, but the pollutants from the car have a detrimental effect on the quality of the air.

Regular exposure to secondhand smoke can cause respiratory problems and raise the risk of heart disease and cancer in nonsmokers. In order to safeguard everyone's health, this realization has prompted numerous cities and nations to enact stringent no-smoking regulations in public areas like parks, bars, and restaurants.

Vincent's work illuminates the ways in which our actions can impact others without our knowledge, promoting a more comprehensive comprehension and awareness of the welfare of those in our vicinity.