Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer: What You Need to Know

No, you cannot get lung cancer from your boyfriend's smoking. Lung cancer is caused by inhaling tobacco smoke directly into your lungs. Breathing in the smoke exhaled by a smoker, known as secondhand smoke, does not have the same effect on your lungs as inhaling smoke from a cigarette. However, secondhand smoke can cause other health problems, such as bronchitis, asthma, and heart disease, and can be particularly harmful to children.