Emailing: effects of second-hand smoke on babies, children

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Health Effects, Smoke Free Peel Region

Secondhand Smoke...Is It Dangerous?

Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes off the end of a cigarette and

the smoke exhaled by the smoker.

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) has identified secondhand smoke as

the third leading preventable cause of death, behind smoking and alcohol

use/abuse.

Health Effects

Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke can seriously harm each

member of your family. a.. Secondhand smoke is harmful to our health because

exposure to it means that we inhale over 4,000 chemicals. 40 or more of these

chemicals are known to cause cancer in human beings.

b.. Breathing secondhand smoke can trigger asthma attacks and can

increase the chance of getting bronchitis and pneumonia. Colds and the flu are

also more common among people exposed to secondhand smoke.

c.. Cigarettes produce 12 full minutes of smoke. The person who is

smoking inhales only 30 seconds of smoke, leaving the smoke that is not inhaled

to linger in the air we breathe.

d.. People who work in bars and restaurants have a 50% higher risk

of developing lung cancer due to secondhand smoke exposure at work.

e.. Heart disease and lung cancer are long-term health effects

directly related to secondhand smoke exposure. More than 300 people die each

year in Canada as a result of breathing secondhand smoke.

f.. Exposure to secondhand smoke all day is the same as smoking 1

or 2 cigarettes per day.

g.. The most common source of indoor air contamination is

secondhand smoke. Air cleaning systems in homes, restaurants and other public

places do not remove all of the harmful chemicals in secondhand smoke. In

addition, the tar from cigarettes remains on your clothes, carpets, curtains and

furniture.

The ability to have children may be affected if either men or women

are exposed to secondhand smoke. a.. Women who smoke have more menstrual

problems and may have problems getting pregnant.

b.. Smoking may change sperm shape and reduce the number of sperm.

c.. Smoking also decreases the intensity of a man's erections.

Smoking can harm the unborn child. a.. Several of the chemicals

produced by cigarettes can pass through the placenta into the baby's blood.

b.. If mom is smoking or breathing secondhand smoke and is

pregnant the baby's oxygen supply is significantly reduced. Decreased oxygen

supply can prevent your baby from growing to a normal weight.

c.. Nicotine can prevent your baby's lungs from developing

properly.

If you smoke while you are pregnant you are more likely to: a..

Miscarry a healthy baby.

b.. Deliver your baby early or deliver a small baby.

c.. Lose your baby during childbirth.

d.. Experience more problems in labor/delivery.

e.. Lose your baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (crib death).

You are your child's most important role model. a.. A Canadian study

has shown that a youth living with 1 or 2 adults who smoke is about twice as

likely to become a regular smoker as a youth from a smoke-free home.

b.. Few people begin smoking after the age of 19. If young people

can stay smoke-free until the age of 19, they are likely to stay smoke-free for

the rest of their lives.

Children are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke in their

own homes than anywhere else! a.. 53% of Canadian children under the age of 15

are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes.

b.. 40% of children under the age of 13 live in a home that is

visited at least occasionally by someone who smokes. Over 2/3 of these families

have thought about restricting smoking but only 52% actually have restrictions

in place.

Most children are bothered by tobacco smoke. a.. Although everyone

is affected by secondhand smoke, it is particularly dangerous for babies and

children because they have smaller lungs and therefore have to breathe in and

out more often.

b.. Babies and children are also at higher risk of exposure in

their homes because they have the least ability to express their discomfort.

To protect you and your family from the harmful effects of

secondhand smoke exposure: a.. Maintain a smoke-free home.

b.. Support smoke-free public places and establishments.

c.. Encourage and support family members, friends and colleagues

attempting to quit smoking.