It is a well known fact that smoking is equally harmful to the non smokers. Excessive inhalation of smoke of cigarettes or other toxic substances can lead to many diseases. Due to this fact many countries have banned smoking in public places. The recent study reveals that risk of stroke increases by 72 percent in spouses of smokers.
 
The research lead by M. Maria Glymour, ScD, of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, analyzed the data collected from the smoking habits of the spouses of more than 16,000 stroke-free married adults aged 50 and older for nine years. With in the span of study 1,130 first strokes were reported.

The study showed that the stroke risk in people who never smoke increases by 42% if they are married to a regular smoker. However the risk of stoke increases by 72% if a former smoker is married to a smoker.

Glymour said, "These findings indicate that spousal smoking increases stroke risk among nonsmokers and former smokers. The health benefits of quitting smoking likely extend beyond individual smokers to affect their spouses, potentially multiplying the benefits of smoking cessation."  

The researchers said that the stroke risk is reduced if the spouse can leave smoking. The study also said that the risk of stroke in people who had never smoked and who were married to a former smoker was equal to the never-smokers married to never-smokers.

This research showed that the smokers should quit smoking not only for themselves but also for the health of their spouses. Moreover the spouses should help their husbands to quit smoking. Many researches have proved the ill effects of smoking on the health of the smokers. This is the first research that showed the direct link between the smoking and non-smokers.