The Physiological Effects of Inhaling Exhaled Cigarette Smoke in Relation to Attitude of the Nonsmoker*

Fifty-six nonsmoking college students were exposed, in a closed environment, for a period of 20 minutes to the exhaled cigarette smoke of two smokers. After intervals of 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes of being exposed to the exhaled smoke, heart rates and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were monitored. Differences between times on systolic pressure was the only statistically significant finding. The subjects were then divided into two distinct attitude groups: (1) those who objected ("disliked") to being in the presence of cigarette smoke, and (2) those who did not mind ("indifferent") being in the presence of cigarette smoke. Variances attributable to between groups was statistically significantly different for heart rate. The "dislike" group had the higher rate in comparison to the "indifferent" group. Between times was statistically different for both groups for systolic pressure. Between group systolic pressures were not significantly different. As expected, there was no significant finding concerning diastolic changes.