{
  "id": 6188980,
  "title": "2.7 billion exposed to second-hand smoke as deaths hit 1.6 million: Study",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/2-7-billion-exposed-to-second-hand-smoke-as-deaths-hit-1-6-million",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-07T23:33:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/09/1527971/27-billion-exposed-second-hand-smoke-deaths-hit-16-million-study"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "A recent study published in The Lancet has found that more than 2.7 billion people, including children, were exposed to second-hand smoke globally in 2023, resulting in nearly 1.7 million deaths. Tobacco remains a leading cause of disease worldwide, with non-smokers making up a significant portion of the 8 million people who died from smoking-related illnesses that year. The study, which reviewed studies from the US National Institutes of Health database and conducted population surveys, found that 767 million children aged 0 to 14 were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2023, which led to 1.66 million premature deaths and caused premature disability and illness. The study emphasizes the need for stronger tobacco control measures in public places and homes to protect women and children from second-hand smoke, as it remains rarely acknowledged as a major risk factor for female health.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Study links second-hand smoke to nearly 1.7 million deaths globally",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/study-links-second-hand-smoke-to-nearly-1-7-million-deaths-globally",
        "published": "2026-09-07T23:14:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}