Years ago, the dangers of smoking were not well known. Many people smoked and it was looked upon as socially acceptable. Moviegoers swooned over images of their favourite movie stars smoking cigarettes. At that time, smoking was also permitted in most public places.
Today, things are very different. Information about the dangers of smoking is more readily available in the media. As a result, people are aware of smoking-related risks; this includes the dangers of second-hand smoke.
In Canada, the deaths of approximately 1,000 non-smokers are attributed to smoke-related illness each year. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals – 50 of which have been found to cause cancer. (Saskatchewan Institute on Prevention of Handicaps- Smoking and ETS {environmental tobacco smoke})
Effects of Second-Hand Smoke on Children:
In Canada, 900,000 (2001 stats Canadian Health Network) children under 12 years of age are exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes. This is significant because 67% of the smoke from one cigarette enters the surrounding environment because it is not inhaled.
Second-hand smoke is responsible for an incredible 400,000 illnesses in children each year (Canadian Health Network website). Illness and health-related conditions such as asthma, allergies, croup, ear infections and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) are all associated with second-hand smoke.
Children are more at risk to second-hand smoke because they breather more air relative to their body weight; they breathe faster than adults; their immune systems are less developed; their lungs are still growing and developing and they may not be able to remove themselves from the area.
Babies exposed to second-hand smoke are twice as likely to die of SIDS (Saskatchewan Health-Helping Your Family Clear the Air).
What Your Can Do:
Making your home smoke free, removing your child from exposure to second-hand smoke and not allowing people to smoke in a vehicle with your child will reduce the impact of second-hand smoke. Second hand smoke in a car can be 27 times more concentrated than in a home.
Provinces such as New Brunswick, PEI and Ontario have Smoke-Free acts that prohibits smoking in a vehicle with children; offenses can result in a fine. The Yukon also has a Smoke-Free act that applies to vehicles.
Whether or not you are a smoker, it's important to know all the facts about second-hand smoke. Understanding the true facts about second-hand smoke will protect your children and the rest of your family from its hazards.
References
Saskatchewan Institute on Prevention of Handicaps - Smoking and ETS (environmental tobacco smoke)
Canadian Health Network - Children especially vulnerable to the effects of second hand smoke.
Saskatchewan Health - Helping Your Family Clear the Air