Avoidingsecondhand smokecan be simple enough when you are in the comfort of your own home, but how can you avoid it when traveling? You are exposed to secondhand smoke when you breathe in pollutants in the air from cigarette smoke and other tobacco products.For people with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, secondhand smoke exposure can prompt an exacerbation of symptoms, which can lead to hospitalization. Traveling can put people with COPD at particular risk for possible exposure. For those without COPD, you may want to avoid the 7000 chemicals and 70 known carcinogens in secondhand smoke.BSIP / UIG / Getty ImagesAvoiding Exposure to Secondhand Smoke While TravelingAlthough many cities and communities have made great strides in banning smoking from public buildings, restaurants, and parks, there are still parts of the world where smoking is allowed everywhere—even on flights. The best way to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke is to plan ahead and to advocate for yourself. Here are suggested ways to avoid secondhand smoke and theCOPD exacerbationsthat may come with it while traveling.1. Request a Non-Smoking RoomWhen making a reservation in some parts of the world, non-smoking is the assumed preference unless you request a smoking room. By the same token, however, some places will automatically assume you want a smoking room if you do not explicitly request non-smoking accommodations. Don’t take a chance. Whether you are booking a hotel room or a cabin on a cruise ship, always request a non-smoking room.In addition, make your sensitivity to cigarette smoke known at the time of your reservation and at check-in. The hotel or ship’s cleaning crew can use a high-powered air filter system to clean the air in your room prior to your arrival if smoking has previously been allowed in the room.2. Keep Smoke Out of Your ClothingIf you can’t stay in a smoke-free hotel, keep your clothes stored in a garment bag or suitcase to keep them from absorbing cigarette smoke.If the dresser in the hotel is older and smells of cigarette smoke, the best thing to do is to not use it and keep your clothes in your suitcase.Likewise, if you spend time in smoke-filled areas, causing your clothes to smell, store them in a separate bag away from the rest of your clothes.3. Take Care of Your HealthDon’t let your healthcare regimen take a vacation while you travel. Be sure to pack extra medicine and take it as prescribed. In addition, stay hydrated and don’t skimp on sleep.Listen to your body. Don’t push yourself too hard, which can wear down your body and make you more susceptible to a COPD exacerbation.Also, be sure to practicegood hand washing hygieneand to use hand sanitizer whenever possible to avoid catching germs. This is especially important on airplanes, cruise ships, and other public transportation.
Avoidingsecondhand smokecan be simple enough when you are in the comfort of your own home, but how can you avoid it when traveling? You are exposed to secondhand smoke when you breathe in pollutants in the air from cigarette smoke and other tobacco products.
For people with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, secondhand smoke exposure can prompt an exacerbation of symptoms, which can lead to hospitalization. Traveling can put people with COPD at particular risk for possible exposure. For those without COPD, you may want to avoid the 7000 chemicals and 70 known carcinogens in secondhand smoke.
BSIP / UIG / Getty Images
Avoiding Exposure to Secondhand Smoke While Traveling
Although many cities and communities have made great strides in banning smoking from public buildings, restaurants, and parks, there are still parts of the world where smoking is allowed everywhere—even on flights. The best way to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke is to plan ahead and to advocate for yourself. Here are suggested ways to avoid secondhand smoke and theCOPD exacerbationsthat may come with it while traveling.
1. Request a Non-Smoking Room
When making a reservation in some parts of the world, non-smoking is the assumed preference unless you request a smoking room. By the same token, however, some places will automatically assume you want a smoking room if you do not explicitly request non-smoking accommodations. Don’t take a chance. Whether you are booking a hotel room or a cabin on a cruise ship, always request a non-smoking room.
In addition, make your sensitivity to cigarette smoke known at the time of your reservation and at check-in. The hotel or ship’s cleaning crew can use a high-powered air filter system to clean the air in your room prior to your arrival if smoking has previously been allowed in the room.
2. Keep Smoke Out of Your Clothing
If you can’t stay in a smoke-free hotel, keep your clothes stored in a garment bag or suitcase to keep them from absorbing cigarette smoke.
3. Take Care of Your Health
Don’t let your healthcare regimen take a vacation while you travel. Be sure to pack extra medicine and take it as prescribed. In addition, stay hydrated and don’t skimp on sleep.
Listen to your body. Don’t push yourself too hard, which can wear down your body and make you more susceptible to a COPD exacerbation.
Also, be sure to practicegood hand washing hygieneand to use hand sanitizer whenever possible to avoid catching germs. This is especially important on airplanes, cruise ships, and other public transportation.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Qureshi H, Sharafkhaneh A, Hanania NA.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: latest evidence and clinical implications.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2014;5(5):212-27. doi:10.1177/2040622314532862Additional ReadingHealth Risks of Secondhand Smoke. American Cancer Society.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Qureshi H, Sharafkhaneh A, Hanania NA.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: latest evidence and clinical implications.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2014;5(5):212-27. doi:10.1177/2040622314532862Additional ReadingHealth Risks of Secondhand Smoke. American Cancer Society.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Qureshi H, Sharafkhaneh A, Hanania NA.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: latest evidence and clinical implications.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2014;5(5):212-27. doi:10.1177/2040622314532862
Health Risks of Secondhand Smoke. American Cancer Society.
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