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Smokefree Living

Tobacco smoke contains thousands of poisonous chemicals. These chemicals enter our bodies in smoky atmospheres. They cause heart problems, breathing difficulties and cancer.  

How does secondhand smoke harm children?

Babies and children in smoky atmospheres are twice as likely to have asthma and chest infections as well as coughs, colds and wheezes.  In the UK, between 1,600 and 5,400 new cases of asthma occur every year as a result of parental smoking. Babies also have a higher risk of ‘glue ear’, meningitis and cot death. 

 The tubes in children's lungs are smaller and their immune systems are less developed than adults, making them more likely to develop respiratory and ear infections when exposed to secondhand smoke.  

Children and babies breathe faster than adults (they have smaller airways) and consequently breathe in more harmful chemicals per pound of their weight than an adult would in the same amount of time.

Every year, 17,000 children under 5 in the UK (around 170 in Warwickshire) are taken to hospital with problems such as asthma, glue ear and even cot death from breathing tobacco smoke.

Smoke free sleep, play and eating areas are particularly important to keep children healthy, happy and free from such diseases as asthma, bronchitis and ear infections. 

Children whose parents smoke are far more likely to take up smoking themselves. 

Keeping your Home Smoke Free

Top tips to keep the air in your home fresh:      

1. Tell friends and family you are keeping your home smoke free      
2. Ask smokers to have a cigarette before they visit      
3. Remove any ashtrays from your home       
4. Don’t feel awkward asking smokers to smoke outside. Secondhand smoke is a real health hazard, particularly to children.     
5. If you have a room where people smoke in your home, keep it well-ventilated and well away from babies and young children    

Tips for Smokers Living with Children:     

1. Smoke outside whenever possible     
2. If it is not possible, keep smoke in one room, well away from children      
3. Keep smoky rooms well ventilated but safeguard open windows      
4. Keep playing, eating and sleeping areas smoke free      
5. Tell family and friends that you are keeping the air near your children smoke free      
6. Put out cigarettes before going near children and teach them that they are hot and will burn if touched.       
7. Keep any family cars smoke free, as tobacco smoke is concentrated in cars and can also increase the likeliness of a child suffering travel sickness.    

For more information, ask your Health Visitor.

For more information on secondhand smoke or advice on stopping smoking, phone Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service free on 0800 085 2917, text free the word LIFE to 80800, or see http://www.westmidlandsmokefreehomes.co.uk  or http://www.smokefreeengland.co.uk