Children and Second Hand Smoke

Just what is second-hand smoke?

Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, and the smoke that is exhaled from the lungs of the smoker. Secondhand smoke is also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS); exposure to secondhand smoke is often called involuntary smoking or passive smoking.

Why Should Parents Be Concerned About Secondhand Smoke?

Effect on Lungs...

Children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, and other lung diseases.

Ear Infections...

Children who breathe secondhand smoke can have more ear infections.

Asthma...

Children who breathe secondhand smoke can have more asthma attacks and the episodes can be more severe. Secondhand smoke may also cause thousands of healthy children to develop asthma each year. Infants and very young children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to get lung infections, resulting in thousands of hospitalizations each year.

Choose not to smoke in your home and don't permit others to do so.

Choose not to smoke if children are present, especially infants and toddlers. They are particularly susceptible to the effects of passive smoking.

What Can I Do to Reduce Children's Health Risks from Secondhand Smoke?

Other Places Your Children Spend Time:
EPA recommends that every organization dealing with children have a smoking policy that effectively protects children from exposure to second hand smoke. Find out about the smoking policies of the day care providers, pre-schools, schools, and other care-givers for your children. Help other parents understand the serious health risks to children from secondhand smoke. Work with parent teacher associations, your school board and school administrators, community leaders, and other concerned citizens to make your child's environment smoke free.

In Your Home:
- Choose not to smoke in your home and don't permit others to do so.
- Choose not to smoke if children are present, especially infants and toddlers. They are particularly susceptible to the effects of passive smoking.
- Don't allow baby-sitters or others who work in your home to smoke in the house or near your children.
- Choose not to smoke in your car.

Where can I get more information on second hand smoke and children?

Where to Find Free Information:
National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NCEPI) or call at 1-800-490-9198.
OR
Visit EPA's Web Site.
You can also call IAQ INFO at:
(800) 438-4318 to speak to an information specialist, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
After hours, you may leave a voice message, or you may make inquiries by fax (703) 356-5386 or via e-mail: iaqinfo@aol.com anytime.