Up to 20 percent of women who develop lung cancer have never smoked, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The study, led by Dr. Heather Wakelee of Stanford University, suggests that secondhand smoke may be to blame.

"Secondhand smoke contains 11 known cancer-causing poisons and 250 toxins," said community health educator at University Health Services (UHS) Diana Ramos.

According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic ammonia and hydrogen cyanide. Secondhand smoke is estimated to be the cause of 3,400 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. annually.

The study reported that the lung cancer incidence rate was roughly 20 percent of female nonsmoker patients compared with 8 percent of male nonsmokers.

"Because more men than women smoke, women are more likely to be in a household relationship with a smoker," Linda LaSalle, coordinator of educational services at UHS, said.

One reason secondhand smoke is so deadly is because it is easy to be exposed to, Ramos said. "If someone is smoking 100 feet away, you can be exposed to secondhand smoke," she said.

The risks associated with secondhand smoke can be avoided by limiting exposure, Ramos said.

"Don't eat at a restaurant that allows smoking. Don't put yourself in an environment where smoking is happening," she said.

A common place of exposure to secondhand smoke for students can be at downtown bars and restaurants, LaSalle said.

"Try to go to smoke-free bars whenever possible," she said.

Smoke-free bars and restaurants in State College include the Allen Street Grill, Faccia Luna and Zola New World Bistro, according to Daily Collegian articles.

Recently, smoking has been banned in restaurants and bars in cities such as New York and Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee recently approved the Clean Indoor Air Act, which, if approved, would prohibit smoking in restaurants and bars across the state.

Pennsylvania is currently the only state in the Northeast that does not have a comprehensive smoking ban, according to the Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco.

Students should not take exposure to secondhand smoke lightly, Ramos said.

"If you know someone who smokes and you are exposed, you should encourage them to join a cessation program," she said.