---
title: "Passive smoking caused 1.66 million deaths globally in 2023"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/health/passive-smoking-caused-166-million-deaths-globally-in-2023"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/passive-smoking-caused-166-million-deaths-globally-in-2023"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/passive-smoking-caused-166-million-deaths-globally-in-2023.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/passive-smoking-caused-166-million-deaths-globally-in-2023"
category: "Health"
area: "India"
published: "2026-09-08T16:45:45.632Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-08T15:34:06.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-08T16:45:45.632Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-08T18:19:54.119Z"
---

# Passive smoking caused 1.66 million deaths globally in 2023

*A new study in The Lancet Public Health highlights the widespread impact of secondhand smoke on non-smokers.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named study, but lacks named on-the-record sources or documents.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes specific figures and dates, and explains why the story matters.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines promise more than the body delivers, with some sensationalism.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Passive smoking was responsible for 1.66 million deaths globally in 2023, according to a study in The Lancet Public Health.
- Globally, 2.71 billion non-smokers were exposed to tobacco smoke in 2023, including 767 million children aged 14 and under.
- Heart disease was the leading cause of death from passive smoking, accounting for approximately 537,000 fatalities.
- In Spain, about half of non-smokers are exposed to tobacco smoke in outdoor leisure areas, such as terraces.

A study published in The Lancet Public Health reported that passive smoking caused 1.66 million deaths worldwide in 2023. The research indicated that 2.71 billion non-smokers were exposed to tobacco smoke globally in the same year. Children aged 14 and under represented 767 million of those exposed. Heart disease was identified as the primary cause of death linked to passive smoking, with an estimated 537,000 fatalities, followed by chronic lung disease and stroke.

The study, which analysed data from 1990 to 2023 across 204 countries and territories, found that lung cancer was not the leading cause of death from passive smoking, ranking fifth with approximately 161,000 deaths. The illnesses attributed to passive smoke cost 44.8 million years of healthy life. In Spain, research from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery found that approximately half of non-smokers are exposed to tobacco smoke on terraces and in outdoor leisure areas. A separate Spanish study linked second-hand smoke to 4,970 deaths from heart disease and lung cancer between 2016 and 2021.

## Disagreement on exposure decrease

Cubadebate and Prensa Latina reported that there was a 22.2 percent decrease in the number of passive smokers, while other reports did not mention this figure.

## Omissions in coverage

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific breakdown of deaths by cause (heart disease, chronic lung disease, stroke, lung cancer) that was detailed in the Euro Weekly News full report. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific breakdown of deaths by cause. None of the left-rated digests mention the specific breakdown of deaths by cause, with the exception of Euro Weekly News which provided this detail in its full report.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 34 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 24% (8)
- Centre: 35% (12)
- Right: 41% (14)

55 of 89 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-08T18:19:54.119Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-08T18:30:10.864Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on the global death toll and the number of people exposed to passive smoke. Euro Weekly News, in its full report, detailed the situation in Spain, noting that half of non-smokers are exposed on terraces and in outdoor leisure areas. It also highlighted that a government bill to extend smoke-free rules to terraces and other public spaces was still awaiting parliamentary approval. Liberation and La Presse reported the 1.6 million death figure and the 2.7 billion exposed, with La Presse also mentioning the increasing prevalence in Africa and the Middle East. El Pais stated that tobacco causes more than 1.6 million deaths of passive smokers every year and that the percentage of people exposed recedes but still affects more than 2.7 billion people. HuffPost It mentioned that tobacco remains a main cause of disease and that many non-smokers exposed to passive smoke were part of an estimated 8 million people who died in 2023 for smoking-related diseases.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports highlighted the overall global figures for deaths and exposure. TVN, Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija, Medical Xpress, Jornal Expresso, and Leprogrès all reported that nearly 1.7 million people died and over 2.7 billion were exposed, including 767 million children. Euronews specifically noted that 2.7 billion people were exposed, with 767 million being children, and stated that second-hand smoke causes serious health harm and is a leading cause of preventable death. Jornal Expresso also mentioned that in children, exposure caused 5.16 million respiratory infections.

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on the headline figures of deaths and exposure. Vz.ru and Kurier reported that passive smoking resulted in more than 1.6 million deaths in 2023. Kurier also noted that 767 million children were exposed. Kronen Zeitung stated that 1.7 million people died and over 2.7 billion were exposed, including 767 million children, and that among the estimated eight million people who died in 2023 due to tobacco smoke worldwide, a portion were passive smokers. Iefimerida reported that 2.71 billion people were exposed, including 1.49 billion women and 767 million children under 15, and that second-hand smoke was responsible for 1.66 million deaths. India Today provided a specific figure for India, stating that 325,600 deaths were linked to second-hand smoke in 2023 and that exposure prevalence fell even as the number exposed rose to 444 million. Jyllands-Posten reported that passive smoking contributed to 1.7 million deaths in 2023 and that researchers called for stricter regulations on smoking in public places. Protothema reported that 2.7 billion people worldwide are exposed, including 1.49 billion women and 767 million children under 15.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 7
- high: 22
- unknown: 60

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [GR Times](https://grtimes.gr/beauty-health/giati-to-pathitiko-kapnisma-paramenei-terastio-provlima-ygeias) — Why Passive Smoking Remains a Huge Health Problem
- [Inquirer](https://globalnation.inquirer.net/337366/second-hand-smoke-causes-to-nearly-1-7m-deaths-globally-study) — Second-hand smoke causes to nearly 1.7M deaths globally – study
- [Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/second-hand-smoke-is-still-killing-1-7-million-people-every-year-2000808532) — Second-Hand Smoke Is Still Killing 1.7 Million People Every Year
- [The Manila Times](https://manilatimes.net/2026/09/09/news/national/secondhand-smoke-causes-17m-deaths/2420878) — ‘Secondhand smoke causes 1.7M deaths’
- [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/9/8/1449808.html) — Lancet: Passive Smoking Resulted in More than 1.6 Million Deaths in 2023
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/dym-bez-prava-vybora-passivnoe-kurenie-stalo-prichinoy-pochti-1-7-mln-smertey) — Smoke without Choice: Passive Smoking Caused Nearly 1.7 Million Deaths Worldwide
- [Cubadebate](http://cubadebate.cu/noticias/2026/09/08/el-humo-del-tabaco-causo-1-66-millones-de-muertes-en-no-fumadores-en-2023) — Tobacco Smoke Caused 1.66 Million Deaths in Non-Smokers in 2023
- [African News Agency](https://africannewsagency.com/second-hand-smoke-linked-to-1-7-million-deaths-globally-study-finds) — Second-hand smoke linked to 1.7 million deaths globally, study finds
- [nplus1.ru](https://nplus1.ru/news/2026/09/08/second-hand-smoke) — One Third of People on Earth Turned Out to Be Passive Smokers in 2023.
- [infomoney.com.br](https://infomoney.com.br/saude/mortes-prematuras-de-pessoas-expostas-ao-fumo-passivo-chegam-a-16-mi-em-2023) — Premature Deaths of People Exposed to Passive Smoking Reach 1.6 Mi in 2023
- [www.prensa-latina.cu](https://prensa-latina.cu/2026/09/08/mueren-16-millones-de-fumadores-pasivos-en-el-mundo) — 1.6 Million Passive Smokers Die in the World - Noticias Prensa Latina
- [TVN](https://tvn-2.com/mundo/tabaquismo-pasivo-causo-millones-muerte-mundo_1_2259833.html) — Passive Smoking Caused Nearly 1.7 Million Deaths in the World, According to Study
- [PatrisNews - Εφημερίδα Πατρίς Ηλείας…](https://patrisnews.com/pathitiko-kapnisma-schedon-17-ekat-thanatoi-se-enan-chrono-ektethikan-767-ekat-paidia) — Secondhand Smoke: Nearly 1.7 Million Deaths in One Year — 767 Million Children Exposed - PatrisNews - Patris Ilia Newspaper
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/2023-te-yaklasik-1-7-milyon-kisi-pasif-icicilik-20219008-haberi) — Nearly 1.7 Million People Will Die From Passive Smoking in 2023
- [lrytas.lt](https://lrytas.lt/sveikata/medicinos-zinios/2026/09/08/news/tyrimas-per-metus-nuo-pasyvaus-rukymo-sukeltu-padariniu-mire-beveik-1-7-mln-zmoniu-43912109) — Study: Nearly 1.7 Million People Died From Secondhand Smoke in a Year
- [iatronet.gr](https://iatronet.gr/article/142649/shedon-17-ekatommyria-anthropoi-pethanan-to-2023-apo-tis-synepeies-toy-pathhtikoy-kapnismatos) — Nearly 1.7 Million People Died in 2023 From the Effects of Secondhand Smoke
- [Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija](https://lrt.lt/naujienos/sveikata/682/3046285/tyrimas-2023-m-nuo-pasyvaus-rukymo-sukeltu-padariniu-mire-beveik-1-7-mln-zmoniu) — Study: Nearly 1.7 Million People Died From Secondhand Smoke in 2023
- [14ymedio.com](https://14ymedio.com/cienciaytecnologia/2-700-millones-personas-son_1_1130543.html) — Some 2.7 Billion People Are Passive Smokers in the World
- [dnews.gr](https://dnews.gr/eidhseis/ygeia/608960/meleti-2-7-dis-anthropoi-pagkosmios-ektithentai-se-pathitiko-kapnisma) — Study: 2.7 Billion People Worldwide Are Exposed to Secondhand Smoke
- [Unknown](https://hindi.pardaphash.com/the-growing-threat-of-passive-smoking-in-india-the-situation-has-worsened-since-1990-and-deaths-due-to-it-have-steadily-increased) — Increasing Risk of Passive Smoking in India, the Situation Worsened After 1990, Deaths Increased Steadily
- [asiaplus.news](https://asiaplus.news/en/2026/09/08/secondhand-smoke-threatens-the-health-of-2-7-billion-people-worldwide-including-767-million-children-study) — Secondhand smoke threatens the health of 2.7 billion people worldwide, including 767 million children — study
- [rtl.lu](https://rtl.lu/news/international/2023-si-bal-1-7-millioune-leit-weltwait-un-de-suitte-vum-passivfemme-gestuerwen-425792802) — New Study on Smoking: By 2023, Almost 1.7 Million People Worldwide Will Have Died From the Effects of Passive Smoking
- [udgtv](https://udgtv.com/noticias/el-tabaquismo-pasivo-causo-casi-1-7-millones-de-muertes/330909) — Passive Smoking Caused Nearly 1.7 Million Deaths in the World, According to Study
- [aeiou.pt](https://zap.aeiou.pt/fumo-passivo-27-mil-milhoes-de-pessoas-mata-166-milhoes-763767) — Passive Smoking Reaches 2.7 Billion People and Kills 1.66 Million per Year, Reveals Study
- [diarioestrategia.cl](https://diarioestrategia.cl/texto-diario/mostrar/6006988/tabaco-causo-muerte-16-millones-no-consumidores-2023-pese-22-menos-fumadores-pasivos-1990) — Tobacco Killed 1.6 Million Non-Consumers in 2023, Despite 22 per Cent Fewer Passive Smokers than in 1990
- [Kurier](https://kurier.at/wissen/gesundheit/passivrauchen-studie-todesfaelle-kinder-nichtraucherschutz/403189315) — Passive Smoking: Almost 1.7 Million Deaths in 2023
- [Euro Weekly News](https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/08/half-of-spains-non-smokers-breathe-terrace-smoke-as-1-6-million-die-each-year) — Half of Spain’s non-smokers breathe terrace smoke as 1.6 million die each year
- [Kronen Zeitung](https://krone.at/4286573) — 1.7 Million People Died of Passive Smoking in 2023
- [AlJadeed.tv](https://aljadeed.tv/entertainment/%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%86/588227/%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%9F-%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%86%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86/ar) — That Doesn't Mean You're Safe.
- [Briefly](https://briefly.co.za/world/252462-second-hand-smoke-kills-166-million-people-billions-remain-exposed) — Second-hand smoke kills 1.66 million people as billions remain exposed
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/equilibrioesaude/2026/09/fumo-passivo-provocou-quase-17-milhao-de-mortes-aponta-estudo.shtml) — Passive Smoking Caused Almost 1.7 Million Deaths, Says Study - 08/09/2026 - Balance and Health
- [zugo.md](https://zugo.md/externe/fumatul-pasiv-mai-toxic-decat-fumatul-activ-studiu-fumul-secundar-a-contribuit-la-166-milioane-de-decese-intr-un-singur-an/254433/externe) — Passive Smoking, More Toxic than Active Smoking? Study: Secondary Smoking Contributed to 1.66 Million Deaths in a Single Year
- [Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-17m-deaths-globally.html) — Second-hand smoke causes nearly 1.7M deaths globally: Study
- [suedtirolnews.it](https://suedtirolnews.it/chronik/fast-17-millionen-tote-in-einem-jahr-durch-passivrauchen) — Almost 1.7 Million Deaths in a Year Due to Passive Smoking
- [vienna.at](https://vienna.at/fast-17-millionen-tote-in-einem-jahr-durch-passivrauchen/10449200) — 1.7 Million Deaths Due to Passive Smoking 2023
- [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/saude/noticia/2026/09/08/fumo-passivo-expos-27-bilhoes-de-pessoas-e-contribuiu-para-166-milhao-de-mortes-em-um-ano-aponta-estudo.ghtml) — Passive Smoke Exposed 2.7 Billion People and Contributed to 1.66 Million Deaths in One Year, Says Study
- [Liberation](https://liberation.fr/societe/sante/plus-de-16-million-de-morts-liees-au-tabagisme-passif-en-2023-20260908_T6TXARDL2FCT3P7NYIUTELH4YU) — More than 1.6 Million Passive Smoking Deaths in 2023
- [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/ygeia/meleti-kampanaki-gia-pathitiko-kapnisma) — "Bell" Study on Passive Smoking: 2.7 Billion People Worldwide Are Exposed - iefimerida.gr
- [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/health/story/passive-smoking-killed-325-lakh-indians-in-2023-up-50-since-1990-lancet-2989622-2026-09-08) — Passive smoking killed 3.25 lakh Indians in 2023, up 50% since 1990: Lancet
- [Jornal Expresso](https://expresso.pt/sociedade/saude/2026-09-08-estudo-revela-que-exposicao-ao-fumo-passivo-do-tabaco-afetou-mais-de-2-mil-milhoes-de-pessoas-incluindo-menores-de-15-anos-16e32661) — Passive Smoking Affects More than 2 Billion People and Is Responsible for 1.66 Million Deaths
- [Publico](https://publico.pt/2026/09/08/ciencia/noticia/cerca-27-mil-milhoes-pessoas-mundo-sao-fumadoras-passivas-estudo-2187337) — Approximately 2.7 Billion People Worldwide Are Victims of Secondhand Smoke, According to a Study.
- [HuffPost It](https://huffingtonpost.it/life/2026/09/08/news/quasi_due_milioni_di_persone_persone_sono_morte_per_fumo_passivo_nel_2023-22663621) — Nearly Two Million People Died of Passive Smoking in 2023
- [Le Singulier](https://lesinguliersete.fr/27-milliards-de-personnes-respirent-la-fumee-des-autres) — 2.7 Billion People Breathe Smoke From Others
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/externe/fumatul-pasiv-mai-toxic-decat-fumatul-activ-ce-este-fumul-secundar-si-de-ce-ne-afecteaza-sanatatea-23803481) — Passive Smoking, More Toxic than Active Smoking? What Is Secondary Smoking and Why It Affects Our Health
- [Irish Medical Times](https://imt.ie/news/one-in-four-irish-people-exposed-to-second-hand-smoke-08-09-2026) — One-in-four Irish people exposed to second-hand smoke
- [Unknown](https://epiloges.tv/toulaxiston-27-disek-anthropoi-ektithente-se-pathitiko-kapnisma) — At Least 2.7 Billion People Are Exposed to Passive Smoking
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/arteseideas/tabaquismo-pasivo-causo-1-7-millones-muertes-mundo-estudio-20260908-832410.html) — Passive Smoking Caused Nearly 1.7 Million Deaths Worldwide: Study
- [www.ertnews.gr](https://ertnews.gr/eidiseis/epistimi/evzoia/ygeia/pathitiko-kapnisma-sxedon-1-7-ekat-thanatoi-se-enan-xrono-ektethikan-767-ekat-paidia) — Passive Smoking: Almost 1.7 Million Deaths in One Year – 767 Million Children Exposed
- [bienpublic.com](https://bienpublic.com/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [estrepublicain.fr](https://estrepublicain.fr/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [lalsace.fr](https://lalsace.fr/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [ledauphine.com](https://ledauphine.com/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [lejsl.com](https://lejsl.com/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [leprogres.fr](https://leprogres.fr/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [republicain-lorrain.fr](https://republicain-lorrain.fr/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [vosgesmatin.fr](https://vosgesmatin.fr/sante/2026/09/08/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-selon-une-etude) — Health. Passive Smoking: More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, According to a Study
- [flash.gr](https://flash.gr/767-ekatommyria-paidia-kato-ton-15-eton-ektethikan-se-pathitiko-kapnisma-to-2023-1080286) — 767 Million Children Under 15 Were Exposed to Secondhand Smoke in 2023
- [Correio da Manhã](https://cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/cerca-de-2-7-mil-milhoes-de-pessoas-em-todo-o-mundo-sao-fumadoras-passivas) — About 2.7 Billion People Around the World Are Passive Smokers
- [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/ugeia/article/1875479/27-disekatommuria-anthropoi-pagosmios-ektithedai-se-pathitiko-kapnisma-sumfona-me-nea-meleti) — 2.7 Billion People Worldwide Are Exposed to Secondhand Smoke, New Study Finds
- [Philippine News](https://philnews.ph/2026/09/08/second-hand-smoke-linked-to-nearly-1-7-million-deaths-worldwide) — Second-Hand Smoke Linked to Nearly 1.7 Million Deaths Worldwide
- [Jyllands-Posten](https://jyllands-posten.dk/international/ECE19619762/passiv-rygning-medvirkede-til-17-millioner-doedsfald-i-2023) — Passive Smoking Contributed to 1.7 Million Deaths in 2023
- [Agenzia giornalistica Opinione](https://agenziagiornalisticaopinione.it/opinionmix/rainews-salute-fumo-passivo-il-dato-shock-di-lancet-17-milioni-di-morti-nel-2023) — RAINEWS * HEALTH: "FUMO PASSIVO, IL DATO SHOCK DI LANCET: 1,7 MILLION OF DEAD IN 2023" - Journalist Agency Opinion. News From Italy - World / Trentino Alto Adige
- [SIC Notícias](https://sicnoticias.pt/saude-e-bem-estar/2026-09-08-cerca-de-27-mil-milhoes-de-pessoas-em-todo-o-mundo-sao-fumadoras-passivas-segundo-estudo-b57de339) — About 2.7 Billion People Worldwide Are Passive Smokers, According to Study
- [Sapo](https://sapo.pt/artigo/cerca-de-2-7-mil-milhoes-de-pessoas-em-todo-o-mundo-sao-fumadoras-passivas-segundo-estudo-6a9fa29c17f68927580f3c58) — About 2.7 Billion People Worldwide Are Passive Smokers, According to Study
- [dolen.no](https://dolen.no/nyheter/n/6qegrz/passiv-roeyking-medvirket-til-at-nesten-1-7-millioner-doede-i-2023) — Passive Røyking Medvirket Til at Nesten 1.7 Millioner Døde I 2023
- [nicematin.com](https://nicematin.com/sante/il-n-existe-aucun-seuil-d-inhalation-sans-danger-le-tabagisme-passif-responsable-de-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-revele-une-etude-10719936) — "There Is No Safe Inhalation Threshold": Passive Smoking Responsible for More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide, Reveals a Study
- [Euronews](http://euronews.com/health/2026/09/08/second-hand-smoke-27-billion-exposed-767-million-of-them-children-study-finds) — Second-hand smoke: 2.7 billion exposed, 767 million of them children, study finds
- [IOL Portugal](https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/fumadores/estudo/estudo-revela-que-cerca-de-2-7-mil-milhoes-de-pessoas-em-todo-o-mundo-sao-fumadoras-passivas/20260908/6a9f9801d34ed0733ba83e7c) — Study Reveals that About 2.7 Billion People Around the World Are Passive Smokers
- [Sud Ouest](https://sudouest.fr/sante/tabac/tabagisme-passif-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-recenses-dans-le-monde-en-2023-30527245.php) — Cigarettes: Passive Smoking Caused More than 1.6 Million Premature Deaths Worldwide in 2023
- [nafeza2world.com](https://nafeza2world.com/Akhbar-Al-Alm/2774375) — Scientific Study Window: Passive Smoking Kills About 2 Million People a Year.
- [Presse-fotos.dk](https://presse-fotos.dk/uhyggeligt-tal-17-millioner-har-mistet-livet-paa-grund-af-dette) — Horrifying Number: 1.7 Million Have Lost Their Lives because of This
- [El Carabobeño](https://el-carabobeno.com/unos-2-700-millones-de-personas-son-fumadoras-pasivas-en-el-mundo) — Some 2.7 Billion People Are Passive Smokers in the World
- [Thanh Niên](https://thanhnien.vn/nghien-cuu-moi-khoi-thuoc-thu-dong-khien-gan-17-trieu-nguoi-chet-185260908075244431.htm) — New Research: Passive Smoking Causes Nearly 1.7 Million Deaths.
- [Monitoreamos](https://monitoreamos.com/salud/nuevo-estudio-revela-que-al-menos-2-700-millones-de-personas-son-fumadoras-pasivas-en-el-mundo) — New Study Reveals that at Least 2.7 Billion People Are Passive Smokers in the World
- [Ekstra Bladet](https://ekstrabladet.dk/nyheder/samfund/passiv-rygning-medvirkede-til-17-millioner-doedsfald-i-2023/11282099) — New Study Shocks: 1.7 Million Dead
- [RTS](https://rts.ch/info/sante/2026/article/tabagisme-passif-1-6-million-de-morts-dans-le-monde-en-2023-29350512.html) — Passive Smoking: 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide in 2023
- [BT](https://bt.dk/udland/passiv-rygning-medvirkede-til-17-millioner-doedsfald-i-2023) — Passive Smoking Contributed to 1.7 Million Deaths in 2023
- [EL NACIONAL](https://elnacional.com/2026/09/el-humo-de-tabaco-ajeno-afecta-a-mas-de-2-700-millones-de-personas-y-provoca-166-millones-de-muertes-al-ano-en-el-mundo) — Smoke From Foreign Tobacco Affects More than 2.7 Billion People and Causes 1.66 Million Deaths a Year in the World
- [focoinformativo.site](https://focoinformativo.site/unos-2-700-millones-de-personas-son-fumadoras-pasivas-en-el-mundo) — About 2.7 Billion People Are Passive Smokers in the World - Information Focus
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/08/study-links-second-hand-smoke-to-nearly-1-7-million-deaths-globally) — Study links second-hand smoke to nearly 1.7 million deaths globally
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/second-hand-smoke-causes-nearly-1-7-million-deaths-globally-study) — Second-hand smoke causes nearly 1.7 million deaths globally: Study
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/health/20260907-second-hand-smoke-1-7-million-deaths) — Nearly 1.7 million deaths linked to second-hand smoke in 2023, study finds
- [Telemundo de Puerto Rico](https://telemundopr.com/noticias/mundo/unos-2700-millones-de-personas-son-fumadoras-pasivas-en-el-mundo/2842207) — Some 2.7 Billion People Are Passive Smokers in the World
- [Le Temps](https://letemps.ch/sciences/sante/le-tabagisme-passif-a-ete-responsable-de-1-7-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-en-2023-selon-une-vaste-etude) — Passive Smoking Was Responsible for 1.7 Million Deaths Worldwide in 2023, According to a Large-Scale Study
- [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/actualites/sciences/2026-09-07/selon-une-etude/le-tabagisme-passif-responsable-de-plus-de-1-6-million-de-deces-dans-le-monde-en-2023.php) — According to a Study on Passive Smoking Responsible for More than 1.6 Million Deaths Worldwide in 2023
- [Hola News](https://holanews.com/unos-2-700-millones-de-personas-son-fumadoras-pasivas-en-el-mundo) — Some 2.7 Billion People Are Passive Smokers in the World
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/health/article-16111177/Passive-smoking-causes-roughly-1-7-million-deaths-year-major-report-finds-reveals-toll-highest.html) — Passive smoking causes roughly 1.7m deaths a year, report finds
- [El Pais](https://elpais.com/sociedad/2026-09-08/el-tabaco-causa-cada-ano-mas-de-16-millones-de-muertes-de-fumadores-pasivos.html) — Tobacco Causes More than 1.6 Million Deaths of Passive Smokers Every Year
- [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/passive-smoking-deaths-up-50-since-1990-lancet/articleshow/133895924.cms) — Passive smoking deaths up 50% since 1990: Lancet

## Questions

**How many people died globally due to passive smoking in 2023?**

According to a study published in The Lancet Public Health, passive smoking caused 1.66 million deaths worldwide in 2023. This figure represents fatalities among non-smokers exposed to tobacco smoke.

**How many people were exposed to passive smoke globally in 2023?**

The study found that 2.71 billion non-smokers were exposed to tobacco smoke globally in 2023. This includes a significant number of children.

**What were the main causes of death from passive smoking?**

Heart disease accounted for the largest number of deaths from passive smoking, with approximately 537,000 fatalities. Chronic lung disease and stroke followed, with lung cancer ranking fifth among the causes.

**What is the situation regarding passive smoking in Spain?**

In Spain, research indicates that about half of non-smokers are exposed to tobacco smoke in outdoor leisure areas like terraces. A Spanish study also linked second-hand smoke to nearly 5,000 deaths from heart disease and lung cancer between 2016 and 2021.

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MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/passive-smoking-caused-166-million-deaths-globally-in-2023. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Passive smoking caused 1.66 million deaths globally in 2023", https://mediabias.news/health/passive-smoking-caused-166-million-deaths-globally-in-2023