Protecting children from second hand smoke

Firstly the stats: 42% of children live in a home where somebody smokes. 60% of smokers admit they disapprove of smoking with a child present in a car or room, 25% do so anyway. So whats the big deal with second hand smoke?? Tobacco smoke contains poisonous gases, tar and a whole number of toxic chemicals, in fact the number is into the thousands. These poisons are absorbed by children who live in smoky atmospheres. Children are considerably more senstive to the toxins found in smoke as their bodies are still developing, this means it is unsafe for children to be in a room where someone is smoking, even if the room is not visably smoky as 85% of second hand smoke is both invisable and odourless. The statistics are frightening: Childrens and babies exposed to a smoky atmostphere are: - twice as likely to suffer chest infections and asthma - Considerably more likely to require hospital care in the first year of their lives - Miss school due to illness more often - More susceptible to colds & coughs - Significantly higher risk of cot death than children of non-smokers - Increased risk of meningitis - A higher chance of getting a condition called "glue ear", this can lead to partial deafness So, what can be done to protect your children from the kind of horrifing list above: - The obvious one is of course to enjoy nobody ever smokes in the home, or car. - Explain to house guests the house is a smoking free zone and they must go outside to smoke. - Avoid taking the children to enclose space where there is a good chance there will be smokers Don't forget if your smoking near your children, they are smoking too! by Nobby Article from www.raisethekids.com a resource for parents everywhere, to read more articles visit www.raisethekids.com/articles/index.php To discuss these articles, post your own views and meet other parents, why not visit our forums at raisethekids.com/forum/