Protect Your Children From

Smoking Dangers

Children who live in homes with smokers are involuntarily exposed to cigarette smoke. A child in a very smoky room for 1 hour with several smokers inhales as many bad chemicals as he would by smoking 10 or more cigarettes. Children who live in a house where someone smokes have an increased rate of respiratory infections. Their symptoms are also more severe and last longer than those of children who live in a smoke free home. The impact of passive smoke is worse during the first 5 years of life when children spend most of their time with the parents! Passive smoking is especially dangerous to children with asthma. Many conditions are worsened by passive smoking. These conditions include pneumonia, bronchitis, croup, wheezing, influenza, ear infections, sinus infections, sore throat, eye irritations, and sudden infant death syndrome.

Parents who want to protect their children from passive smoke should: Give up smoking! If you need help ask us at the Leitchfield Pediatric Clinic or call 1-800-4-CANCER.
If you cannot or will not give up smoking:

• Make your home a smoke free environment. Smoke outdoors and insist that other family members and friends do so also. Smoke outside or in the garage.
   
• Never smoke while holding your child.

• Never smoke in a car when your child is a passenger.

• Do not leave your child with a caregiver who is a smoker.