Passive
Smoking and Children
When
children are around someone who is smoking, they breathe in the
smoke released into the atmosphere. This is called environmental
tobacco smoke (ETS). Inhalation of this smoke is called passive
smoking.
Tobacco
smoke contains up to 4000 chemicals, 43 of which are known to cause
cancer in humans.' These chemicals include:
- carbon
monoxide (a poisonous gas also found in car exhaust fumes)
- nicotine
(a stimulant and addictive drug)
-
tar (a sticky mixture of chemicals that cause cancer).
Cigarette
smoke also contains pesticides (including DDT), metals (including
arsenic) and ammonia (used in floor cleaner).
The
amount of smoke a child breathes in depends on how dose the child
is to the person(s) smoking, the room size, the number of smokers
in the room and how much they smoke, and the ventilation available
in the room (that is, open windows and doors, extractor fans).
The
Risk for Children
Young
children have more delicate lungs than adults and are more affected
by tobacco smoke and the chemicals it contains.' When exposed to
ETS, children are more likely to develop sensitive airways, making
them more susceptible to a number of health problems and to being
hospitalised.
Newborn
babies are most at risk as their lungs and immune systems are still
developing.
Health
affects
Children
exposed to ETS are more likely to suffer from:
- sore
and/or watery eyes
- sneezing
and coughing
- asthma
- chest
tightening and wheezing in children who have asthma
- slower
lung growth and decreased lung function
- respiratory
infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchiolitiss'
- ear
infections
- tonsilitis
and sinusitis.
The
more children are exposed to other people's smoke, the more likely
they are to suffer from the effects of passive smoking. Maternal
smoking
during pregnancy is a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS or `cot death').` Infants exposed to ETS after birth are also
at increased risk of SIDS
Babies
who are exposed to ETS are more likely to be hospitalised for respiratory
infections than babies not exposed to ETS.
Other
Hazards
It
is important to keep tobacco products such as cigarettes and ashtrays
out of the reach of babies and children. Cigarettes and their ash
are poisonous, and children who eat a cigarette or cigarette butt
can become very sick. An ingested cigarette can cause vomiting,
stomach pains,
diarrhoea and sweating. In some cases poisoning may result, leading
to hospitalisation.
Lit
cigarettes can result in serious burns to the skin or eyes of babies
and children. A lit cigarette knocked from an ashtray could start
a fire, so
great care should be taken, especially with children in the household.
Matches or lighters should also be kept in a safe place, such as
a locked cupboard.
What
you can do to protect your child
- One
of the best things you can do for children is to make your home
smoke-free. This will benefit all members of the household.
- Make
your car smoke-free and remove all ashtrays.
- Use
non-smoking stickers to inform others that your home and car are
smoke-free. Place one on your car dashboard or bumper and/or
on the front door or window of your house.
- Tell
your family and friends that your home and car are smoke-free,
due to your concern about the health effects of passive smoking
on
your children.
- Choose
to visit public places that are smoke- free or have non-smoking
policies in place.
- If
you have a young child, place a non-smoking sticker on your pram.
- Don't
let anyone smoke around yourself or your children. Remember -
you and your children have a right to breathe clean air.
If
you smoke, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your
child is to quit smoking. You may find it difficult but it's definitely
worth
the effort.
Source:
Quit
