15/06/2015
What you need to know about
passive smoking
Quit Victoria defines second-
hand smoke as being made up of
‘mainstream’ smoke, which the
smoker breathes out, and
‘sidestream’ smoke, which drifts
from the end of a burning
cigarette.
Children most commonly come
into contact with second-hand
smoke when their parents, family
and friends smoke.
But the problem isn’t just
smoking around children –
second-hand smoke hangs
around for up to five hours. It
gets left on furniture, carpets and
clothing. This means babies and
children are still exposed to it
even after adults have finished
their ci******es.
Infants and children are
particularly at risk from second-
hand smoke because they have
smaller airways and less mature
immune systems. Their smaller
airways mean they breathe
faster, so they breathe in
relatively more second-hand
smoke – and its harmful
chemicals – than an adult would
in the same amount of time.
Health risks linked with passive
smoking
Passive smoking dramatically
increases health risks for babies,
children and teenagers. Studies
show that children exposed to
second-hand smoke are at an
increased risk of premature
death and disease and are more
likely to have thickening,
irritation and inflammation of
their airways.
Second-hand smoke can impair a
baby’s breathing and heart rate,
which can put them at a higher
risk of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS). If parents
smoke during pregnancy and
after their baby is born, their
baby’s SIDS risk increases. If one
parent smokes, the risk of SIDS
doubles. If both parents smoke,
the risk doubles again.
If children are exposed to
second-hand smoke, they’re
more likely to develop a range of
lung and other health problems,
including:
asthma
bronchiolitis
bronchitis
childhood cancers, including
leukaemia
croup
ear infections
impaired sense of smell
meningitis
meningococcal disease
pneumonia
tonsillitis.
There’s also evidence that
exposure to second-hand smoke
can increase the likelihood of
behaviour problems and learning
difficulties.
lets compaing against public
smoking in our communitys!
lets compaing for a smoking free
environment!
stay blessed!!