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A Health Hazard to Children

Secondhand Smoke:. A Health Hazard to Children. Children’s Exposure to Secondhand Smoke. Millions of children six years old and younger are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. What is Secondhand Smoke?.

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A Health Hazard to Children

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  1. Secondhand Smoke: A Health Hazard to Children

  2. Children’s Exposure to Secondhand Smoke • Millions of children six years old and younger are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home.

  3. What is Secondhand Smoke? • Also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), passive smoking, or side-stream smoke • Smoke breathed out by a smoker • Smoke from the burning end of cigarettes, cigars, pipes • Composed of nearly 4,000 different chemicals and chemical compounds of which, 40+ are cancer causing • Contains benzene, nickel, carbon monoxide, ammonia, and cyanide

  4. All ETS Exposure: Children Aged 6 and Younger Source: CDC/EPA National Survey on Environmental Management of Asthma and Children's Exposure to Secondhand Smoke, 2003.

  5. Health Risks • Low birth weight • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) • Coughing & wheezing • More inner ear infections – up to 2,000,000 inner ear infections each year Sources: USEPA. Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking – Lung Cancer and Other Disorders, 1992. California EPA. Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke, 1997.

  6. Health Risks • Respiratory infections • More pneumonia – up to 190,000 cases of pneumonia in children under five • More bronchitis – up to 436,000 episodes of bronchitis in children under five • Sore throats and colds Sources: USEPA. Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking – Lung Cancer and Other Disorders, 1992. California EPA. Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke, 1997.

  7. Asthma • Asthma is a disease that causes the lungs to tighten and swell • Asthma is incurable, yet controllable • Secondhand smoke is the most universal trigger of asthma episodes, especially in children

  8. Indoor Asthma Triggers • Secondhand smoke • Dust mites • Pets • Cockroaches & other pests • Mold • Nitrogen dioxide

  9. Addressing Asthma • Talk to a Doctor • Make a Plan • Asthma-proof your Home

  10. How to Protect Children • Pledge not to smoke in your home or car. Call 1-866-SMOKE-FREE or visit www.epa.gov/smokefree/pledge • Don’t allow others to smoke in your home or car • Choose a smoke-free childcare provider • Until you can quit, smoke outside

  11. How to Promote Smoke-free Homes • Work with childcare centers, WIC offices, health clinics, and other organizations • Hand out brochures and other Smoke-free Homes materials at community events • Think of ways to include the Smoke-free Homes message at parents meetings, churches, and kids’ clubs

  12. How to Promote Smoke-free Homes • Educate parents, caregivers, and community leaders • Collect pledges 3. Publicize your smoke-free home messages

  13. How to Learn More • Order EPA’s Materials. Call the Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-438-4318 • Visit EPA’s Smoke-free Homes Web site – www.epa.gov/smokefree

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