Children who live with smokers are exposed to cigarette smoke everyday. They are exposed in 2 ways: secondhand smoke and sidestream smoke. Secondhand smoke involves the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Sidestream smoke is the smoke that rises off the end of a burning cigarette. Sidestream smoke is more harmful because it contains 2-3 times more chemicals. A child in a room with several smokers inhales as many chemicals as he/ she would if they smoked 10 or more cigarettes!
Exposure to smoke increases the frequency and severity of respiratory infections. Passive smoking is especially hazardous until a child turns five because they spend most of their time with their parents. Children who are breastfed are at risk because chemicals are in the breast milk as well as the air. Passive smoking is especially harmful to children with asthma. They are at risk for more asthma attacks, more emergency room visits, and more admissions to the hospital. Exposure to passive smoking will cause illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, croup, wheezing, flu, ear infections, sore throats, and sinus infections to become worse.
Protect Your Child Against Passive Smoking!
- Stop Smoking- Sign up for a “stop smoking” class or call the American Lung Association or American Cancer Society for self help reading materials. Contact your doctor for further help.
- Do not smoke inside your home- If you are unable to stop smoking then smoke outside. Change your clothing before being near your child.
- Never smoke near your child- Do not smoke in your car, especially when your child is riding with you. Never smoke while holding, bathing, or feeding your child. This will prevent burns as well as exposure to passive smoking.
- Avoid leaving your child with someone who smokes- Discuss smoking with all babysitters or daycare providers.