Smoking: A Slow Poison
Every year we make New Year's Resolutions. If you are a smoker, I hope you resolved to quit smoking this year. Smoking is well known to be in bad for your health, it is as harmful to be exposed to second hand smoke. Listed are some facts published by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the American Academy of Pediatrics that will help strengthen your resolution to quit.
Cigarette smoke has more than 4000 poisonous chemicals. At least 43 of these are known to cause cancer in humans and animals. Each year 3000 adult non smokers die of lung cancer due to exposure to second hand smoke. Effects of tobacco smoke exposure are even more harmful to children. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarette smoke paralyze bodies defense systems against respiratory infections with the following results.
1. 150,00 to 300,00 infants younger than 18 months of age are diagnosed with pneumonia or bronchitis each year due to exposure to cigarette smoke. 7500 to 15,000 of them are hospitalized.
2. Chronic cough, wheezing, and phlegm are more frequent in children whose parents smoke.
3. Children exposed to tobacco smoke have more ear infections and have a hard time clearing it in spite of use of antibiotics. Many of them may be subject to ear tube placement.
4. About 2 million to 5 million children suffer from asthma. Secondhand smoke exposure increases the number and severity of asthma attacks.
5. Each year U.S. mothers who smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day can actually cause between 8,000 and 26,000 new cases of asthma among their children.
6. Infants of mothers who smoke during and after pregnancy are three times more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Exposure of children to second hand smoke happens most often at home or in vehicles. Their lungs are still developing and studies show that the damage done is irreversible. Blowing smoke away from children, going into another room or opening a window may help reduce children's exposure but will not protect them from the dangers of second hand smoke.
The following are some suggestions to make your home smoke free.
1. Tell people not to smoke in your home. It may feel awkward at first, but if you explain the facts about second hand smoke they should completely understand. If visitors absolutely must smoke, tell them to go outside.
2. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to quit. Let them know that cigarette smoke affects everyone, not just them.