According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no safe level of tobacco smoke exposure for children. There are three types of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS):
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Smoke that is breathed out by a smoker of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes (secondhand smoke)
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Smoke that comes from the burning tip of a cigarette or cigar or from a pipe bowl (side-stream smoke)
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Smoke that stays in or on objects such as hair, clothing, carpets, furniture, walls, curtains, cars, and toys (thirdhand smoke)
ETS contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Some of these chemicals can cause cancer and other serious health problems, especially in children.
A more recent concern for children is the risk of aerosols released from vaping. These noncombustible electronic nicotine devices are suspected to release less toxic smoke than traditional cigarettes, but they are not thought to be harmless. Research is ongoing, but vaping aerosols have been shown to contain cancer-causing toxins and other harmful chemicals like anti-freeze.
Symptoms
ETS may cause symptoms such as:
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Cough or stuffy nose
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Sore throat or hoarseness
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Eye irritation
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Headache or dizziness
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Fussiness
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Loss of appetite
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Lack of energy
Diseases in children
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When children breathe in tobacco smoke, they are at higher risk for health problems. Children younger than 2 years are at greatest risk. Health problems that may result from ETS exposure include:
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Ear and sinus infections, and hearing problems
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Colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, croup, influenza, and bronchiolitis
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Asthma. Being exposed to only 10 cigarettes a day raises the chance of getting asthma.
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SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) for infants exposed to ETS
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In children who already have asthma, ETS increases the number and severity of asthma attacks and trips to the hospital.
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Smoking during pregnancy doubles the risk of having a premature baby. It also doubles the risk of newborn complications. Nursing mothers pass some of the chemicals in ETS through breastmilk to their babies.
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ETS puts children at greater risk of getting health problems as adults, as well. These health problems include:
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Lung cancer
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Heart disease
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Cataracts
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What to do for your children
The more smokers in a home and the more they smoke, the worse the effects on your child. If you smoke, it's very important for the health of your child that you stop smoking. This can be hard to do alone. Find a stop-smoking class or talk to your healthcare provider for help.
If you can't stop smoking completely, then don't smoke inside your home or car. You should also adopt the following practices:
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Don't smoke, and don't allow others to smoke or use electronic cigarettes, inside your home.
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Never smoke while holding or feeding your baby.
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Never smoke in a car with your child.
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Don't leave your child with caretakers who smoke or use electronic cigarettes.
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Remove your child from any environment where smoking occurs. This includes restaurants and sporting events.
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If you smell of smoke, change your clothes before having close contact with your baby or child. If someone else smells of smoke, don't let them hold your child.
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