Intern Blog

Christine Giardina
FNCU Intern

If an individual were to smoke a cigarette, they would inhale 15 percent of the life-endangering smoke into their body. Do you know how much a nearby non-smoker inhales from that same cigarette? Eighty-five percent.

 It is in scenarios like this that second-hand smoke is more of a health hazard than directly smoking would be.

While there are many existing programs that enforce drug and alcohol prevention education, programs that stress the dangerous environment caused by second-hand smoke are seldom seen.

After a family member was diagnosed with lung cancer because of high exposure to second-hand smoke, I founded a program called “Second Hand Secrets” to increase awareness of the dangers of second-hand smoke and to raise money for lung cancer research.

I have been heavily involved in this cause ever since. I have organized fundraisers, advertised facts and statistical information and visited elementary schools to educate students about the issue.

My most recent addition to the program was the creation of my website, www.second-handsecrets.webs.com.

The website's best feature is the “Your Stories” section, where lung cancer patients, family members, friends, and charity supporters can share their stories and express their thoughts. Also included is a program summary, a list of upcoming events and facts and statistics about second-hand smoke. The Second Hand Secrets website will serve as an excellent news source for the latest information about health and wellness.

Everyone has been affected by this issue in one way or another. Share your voice on the forum and help form a community as we strengthen the fight against lung cancer and shift perspective on public health!

Visit the site here.