Introduction

Secondhand smoke, commonly referred to as environmental tobacco smoke, is the smoke exhaled by smokers from the burning tips of cigars, pipes, and cigarettes. There are over 4,000 compounds in it. Over fifty of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, making many of them hazardous. Children are exposed to secondhand smoke frequently at their home. Your children can be more vulnerable than you think if you smoke around them or if they are exposed to secondhand smoke elsewhere.

Children's health can be particularly harmed by secondhand smoke because their lungs are still maturing. Even children whose parents smoke outside are still at risk from residual smoke's toxins. Quitting is the best approach to remove this exposure. Let’s understand the ways we can create a smoke-free environment for our children.

Effects of Smoking on Your Children’s Health

If you don’t smoke in front of your children, they can still be impacted by the toxic smoke that clings to your clothing when they come into contact with you. This is known as third-hand smoke, wherein residual nicotine and other toxic chemicals settle on common surfaces.

Your unborn child is also exposed to dangerous substances if you smoke or are around secondhand smoke when you are pregnant. Numerous major health issues could result from this, such as:

• Miscarriage
• Premature birth (birth with incomplete development)
• Lower birth weight, which could indicate a less healthy infant
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other learning difficulties

Children exposed to secondhand smoking may experience additional:

• Infections of the ears
• Colds and coughs
• Respiratory issues, including pneumonia and bronchitis
• Tooth caries and bad breath
  
  

Long-Term Effects of Secondhand Smoke

Children of parents who smoke are at a higher risk of becoming smokers themselves. Adolescents and children who smoke experience the same health issues as adults. Children exposed to secondhand smoking may experience issues in the future, such as:

• Inadequate lung development, which prevents their lungs from reaching their maximum size
• Cancer of the lung
• Acquired heart disease
• Eye cataract

Ways To Protect Children & Adolescents from Tobacco Exposure
Let’s look at the seven ways you can protect your children from tobacco exposure:

1)     Make a smoke-free environment around your children

·        In the house: Do not permit anyone to smoke within your home premises. Do not allow friends, family, and babysitters to be around children when smoking.

·        In Daycare: Verify if smoking is prohibited in the crèche for your child.

·        In the school: Make sure the entire school, inside and out, is smoke-free for your child. It should be "No smoking" at all school functions.

·        In Public: Pick establishments that don't allow smoking. Prefer restaurants with "no smoking" policies.

·        In your vehicle: If there are kids in your car, don't let anyone smoke. The act of rolling down a window does not shield them.

2)     Lead by example: Give up smoking right now! If your kids witness you smoking, they can be inspired to give it a try and end up becoming smokers too. Children are more likely to try smoking if there are cigarettes available in the house, which is the first step towards addiction.

3)     Discuss with your child the advantages of abstaining from tobacco use: Describe to your kids the dangers and addiction of smoking cigarettes. Tell them how smoking increases the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and lung cancer. If friends make fun of them for not smoking, teach them how to resist peer pressure.

4)     Get rid of all ashtrays in your home: Removing ashtray and lighter not only helps remove the trigger to smoke but also prevents third-hand smoking. Children could easily pick up a remnant cigarette butt from an ashtray and predispose themselves to nicotine and chemicals.

5)     Stock up on items that could help resist smoking urges: If you or a family member smokes, then start stocking up on items to prevent the urge, like:

·        Wholesome snacks such as raw veggies and fruit.

·        Sugar-free gums

·        Nicotine replacement lozenges or gum.

·        Games or puzzles.

·        Books that you've been meaning to peruse.

6)     Counselling interventions: Counselling an adolescent can help counter attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge regarding smoking, particularly when these are erroneously impacted by social or environmental factors like tobacco marketing or peer pressure.
Interventions in counselling can take many different forms, such as:

·        Face-to-face interactions

·        Conversations over the phone with a medical professional

·        Delivering printed goods via email, mail, or in person

·        Internet resources

7)     Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter: A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can help reduce the risks of cigarette smoke by trapping harmful particles from the air. HEPA filters help to remove cigarette smoke residue from surfaces, which can help carpets, walls, and furniture last longer.

Hence, babies and young children are at the greatest risk of exposure to secondhand or third-hand smoke. The best way to prevent is to make sure your home and vehicle are smoke-free. This includes refraining from using e-cigarettes, cannabis, or tobacco products when your child is present in your house or elsewhere. This should also be implemented in the childcare facilities, lodging facilities, dining establishments, hotels, and at the homes of friends and relatives. Talk to your child about the benefits of staying tobacco-free, and set a good example by quitting smoking. If you or a family member has difficulty quitting, you can consult your healthcare provider, who can prepare you for withdrawal symptoms.

You can consult our healthcare team at Ask a Doctor, 24x7 and discuss related to tobacco misuse and its effect on children.