Effects of Secondhand Smoke On Children

Effects of Secondhand Smoke On Children - Limited Lung Function
By: Ron King

Everyone feels that smoking is unhealthy, particularly for children. But what are the actual effects of secondhand smoke on children, particularly the infant and secondhand smoke? Let’s study the health effects on a child who is exposed to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is the name of the smoke that is emitted by a lit cigarette mixed with the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker engaged in the business of smoking. This kind of involuntary exposure affects everyone who is in in close proximity to a smoker, and thus of course children. The effect can be seen during pregnancy, even before a child is born. Studies have shown that prenatal exposure to nicotine, as it is contained in cigarette smoke, will cause low birth weight in a newborn. Also, it may contribute to prenatal death and resulting miscarriage. After the child has been born, secondhand smoke has been tied to the much-feared sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which causes healthy infants less than one year of age to die without a known cause. Children who survive their infancy and later on develop asthma will find their attacks to be more prolonged than those of their counterparts who live in smoke free environments. Because of the toxins that are exhaled as well as put forth from a lit cigarette, children who are exposed to secondhand smoke quite often suffer from respiratory tract infections such as chronic bronchitis, postnasal drip, and frequent colds. Of course, there are also other health risks, such as an increased risk of ear infections and sore throats, and these are only a few of the effects of secondhand smoke on children.

Nonetheless, the most severe damage done by tobacco smoke to children is the harm inflicted on their lungs. An infant and secondhand smoke are a hurtful combination. Infants who were exposed to nicotine before birth, oftentimes have restricted lung functions, which is the reason they are more susceptible to succumbing to SIDS when still young. One of the reasons why children are so adversely affected by secondhand smoke is the fact that their breathing rate is more rapid than an adult’s breathing rate, and so, by weight, they are ingesting a bigger proportion of secondhand smoke and all its toxins than an adult would. Add to this factor the developmental immaturity of a child’s lungs and it is clear that so many hospitalizations can be directly traced to a parent’s smoking around the children.

Another factor to think about is the length of exposure of children to cigarette smoke. Usually smokers have other smokers within their immediate circle of friends and acquaintances and choose not to ban smoking to the porch or any other location apart from the children. Thus, a child is often not only exposed to a parent’s or caregiver’s secondhand smoke, but also to that of their friends, family, and other adults. Sadly, children who are exposed constantly to secondhand smoke will be at a high risk of developing lung cancer, following in the footsteps of their smoking parents and caregivers. Quite possibly the worst part of smoking related hospitalizations in children who were exposed to secondhand smoke is the fact that this could have been summarily avoided, particularly cases that involve an infant and secondhand smoke. Do not wait until it is too late and the effects of secondhand smoke on children are beyond repair. Make sure your kids stay in environments that are smoke-free. Put the respiratory health of your kids ahead of the risks involved with smoke exposure. Limit your child’s opportunities for secondhand smoke exposure, and quit smoking before it is too late!

For more info, check out Infants and Secondhand Smoke or Tips on How To Stop Smoking. Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.