Healthy Living
Second-Hand Smoke
Second-Hand Smoke (what smokers exhale when they are smoking) is known to be harmful to non-smokers, including babies, children and adults. It can also affect unborn babies through their mothers. Nicotine in the blood of a pregnant woman exposed to second-hand smoke can decrease blood flow to the baby and can affect the baby’s heart, lungs, digestive system and central nervous system.
The simplest and best way to protect yourself and your children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke is to make your home and car 100% smoke-free.
The thing about cigarette smoke is that is doesn’t stay in one place, even if doors are closed to keep it in one area away from other rooms and other people. You may think you can clear the smoke from a room or from your car by opening a window or turning on a fan, but this is not the case. Studies have shown there is no level of ventilation (opening a window for example) that will eliminate the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Even air filters and air purifiers are not enough because they don’t remove gases that cause diseases from the air. These harmful gases are exactly what second-hand smoke has in it, so staying away from places where people smoke is the only way to avoid it.
Effects of Second-Hand Smoke on Babies, Children and Adults
- Babies who breathe in second-hand smoke have a higher risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or crib death.
- Babies and children exposed to second-hand smoke get more coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis and croup.
- Children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to develop asthma. They will also suffer more from it than asthmatic children of non-smokers.
- Second-hand smoke increases the number of ear infections in children.
- Second-hand smoke may also harm children’s ability to think and develop learning difficulties. Children exposed to tobacco smoke have scored lower on tests than children who were not exposed.
- Non-smoking adults exposed to second-hand smoke may have an increased risk of lung cancer, respiratory problems and heart disease. This is because smoke raises your heart rate and damages your heart muscle; and lowers the level of protective HDL-cholesterol in your blood.
Tips for Minimizing Second-Hand Smoke in Your Home and Car
- Ask people not to smoke around you, your children or your home. If you have to, leave places where people are smoking.
- Put up a “smoke-free” sign in your home and in your car to let people know that you do not allow smoking.
- Remove all ashtrays from inside your home.
- Ask your children’s caregivers and anyone else who comes into contact with your children, not to smoke around them.
- Let all passengers know that your car is smoke-free.
- Clean out the ashtray in your car and fill it with sugar-free candies or potpourri.
For more information on the effects second-hand smoke, or information on the effects of Smoking on women, unborn babies and children click on the link, or visit the following websites:
Health Canada – Second-Hand Smoke Info
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/life-vie/shs-fs_e.html
Health Canada – Making Your Home and Car Second-Hand Smoke Free
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/pubs/tobac-tabac/second-guide/index_e.html
BC Health Guide – Second Hand Smoke Info
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile30c.stm
BC Health Guide – Protecting Your Family from Second-Hand Smoke
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile30c.stm
Sources:
Health Canada: Second-Hand Smoke.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/life-vie/shs-fs_e.html
Baby’s Best Chance: Parents’ Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care 6th edition (2005).
Province of British Columbia: Ministry of Health.