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passive smoking
noun
: the involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke (as from another's cigarette) especially by a nonsmoker
Examples of passive smoking in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The World Health Organization reports that smoking tobacco claims more than 8 million lives annually, including 1.3 million from passive smoking.
—Markus Lindblad, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1971, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near passive smoking
Cite this Entry
“Passive smoking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passive%20smoking. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Medical Definition
passive smoking
noun
: the involuntary inhalation of tobacco smoke (as from another's cigarette) especially by a nonsmoker
passive smoker
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on passive smoking
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about passive smoking
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