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Don’t Let Your Child’s Health Go Up In Smoke

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Very few parents would intentionally inflict harm on their young children, yet millions of Americans are exposing their infants and toddlers to toxic poisons and carcinogens every time they light up at home. According to the American Lung Association, there are an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 cases every year of bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and children under 18 years of age who breathe secondhand smoke. These result in between 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations.

Among children under the age of 18, an estimated 22 percent are exposed to second hand smoke in their homes. The National Cancer Institute has conducted numerous awareness campaigns aimed at reducing second hand smoke within the home, especially homes with children.

Because their bodies are still developing and their breathing rate is faster than that of adults, children are at much higher risk for developing problems related to secondhand smoke. When the air is tainted with cigarette smoke, young developing lungs receive a higher concentration of inhaled toxins than older lungs receive. Children who spend one hour in a smoky room inhale enough toxic chemicals to equal 10 cigarettes.

According to the American Thoracic Society “healthy” children of smokers who don’t show outward signs of breathing difficulties may still be experiencing reduced lung function which could progressively worsen with continued exposure. For very young children and infants, secondhand smoke exposure raises the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Pregnant women who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to have babies with low birth weight. In some cases, second hand smoke has caused miscarriages. Babies born to smoking mothers are at an increased risk for developmental issues, learning disabilities and cerebral palsy.

When a person is exposed to secondhand smoke they are actually exposed to two forms of smoke. “Sidestream” smoke is emitted between puffs of a burning cigarette, pipe or cigar and “mainstream” smoke is exhaled by the smoker. This combination of smoke contains at least 60 cancer-causing agents as well as toxins such as nicotine and carbon dioxide.

Consider these facts from the American Lung Association:

• Secondhand smoke is responsible for an estimated 38,000 deaths among
  nonsmokers each year which includes 3,000 lung cancer deaths and 35,000 deaths due to heart disease.
• Second hand smoke can worsen existing pulmonary symptoms for people with asthma, chronic bronchitis and allergies.
• The incidence of lung cancer in waitresses and bartenders who work in restaurants where smoking is allowed is more than twice that of the general population.
• There is no safe amount of second hand smoke.

One of the most unfortunate aspects of secondhand smoke is that small children have no choice about their environments. It is up to parents to keep their children safe and make sure the air they breathe is fresh and clear. Bear in mind that second hand smoke causes first hand problems because your lungs don’t know the difference.

The State of Arizona recently adopted no smoking policies in all public places. Many communities and several states are giving in to pressure from nonsmokers who are demanding a smoke free environment for themselves and for their children.