Final answer:
Passive smoking accounts for a significant number of preventable deaths, posing serious risks to both adults and children who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
Passive Smoking and Health Risks
Passive smoking, or exposure to second-hand smoke, accounts for a significant number of deaths. Although it does not constitute the majority of smoking-related deaths, the impact of passive smoking is substantial and well-documented. Second-hand smoke is carcinogenic, and nonsmokers living with smokers have a 30% increased risk of developing lung cancer. For children, the risks are even greater, leading to more respiratory infections and a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Lung cancer is a major health risk associated with smoking, with smokers being over 20 times more likely to die from lung cancer before the age of 85 compared to non-smokers. Not only does smoking reduce life expectancy by about 10 years, but half of those who smoke may die from it. Thus, it is evident that passive smoking does contribute to a 'C) significant number' of these preventable deaths.