Second-hand smoke

What is second-hand smoke and how does it harm your child’s health?

The negative health effects associated with second-hand smoke have been continuously stressed by medical professionals. Health Canada reports that 1,000 deaths from lung cancer and heart disease occur in non-smokers from breathing in second-hand smoke every year (1). However, when considering babies and children, second-hand smoke plays an even more detrimental role on the health of this population. Babies and children are not only vulnerable to the negative effects of second-hand smoke, but third-hand smoke as well.

What is second-hand smoke?

Second-hand smoke is comprised of the smoke that an individual blows out into the air when smoking (or in other words, the smoke they exhale when they are smoking) in addition to, the smoke released from burning the end of a cigarette or pipe (4). This smoke contains approximately 4,000 chemicals, which includes more than 70 carcinogenic chemicals. Carcinogenic chemicals are agents that can lead to cancer (4).

Alarming facts of second-hand smoke:

What is most alarming is that the smoker only inhales 1/3 of the smoke emitted by the cigarette, while 2/3 of the smoke enters the air around the smoker (4). One may believe that the amount of chemicals entering the air around the smoke may be less than what the smoker actually inhales; however, second-hand smoke contains twice the amount of nicotine and tar than what is inhaled by the smoker (4). Second-hand smoke also contained 5 times the amount of carbon monoxide (than the smoke inhaled by the smoker), higher levels of ammonia and cadmium (typically found in window cleaner and batteries, respectively) (4). Other chemicals found in second-hand smoke include nitrogen dioxide, which is found at concentrations 50 times higher than the standard for harm, and high concentrations of hydrogen cyanide which is considered toxic (4). Hydrogen cyanide (also known as Zyklon-B) was once used in World War II as the agent of choice for mass gassing/genocide (2), however, now it is voluntarily entering the lungs of smokers and involuntarily entering the lungs of none-smokers within the vicinity of smokers.

What is third-hand smoke?

Third-hand smoke consists of the toxic chemicals in smoke that is left behind by the smoker long after the cigarette has been put out (5). These chemicals are found clinging to hair, the skin, fabrics, wall, carpet, furniture and toys (5). Over time the amount of built up smoke found in the carpet, walls, or fabrics etc increases, which eventually pollute the air and enter peoples lungs/bodies (5). Therefore, you are exposed to third-hand smoke if you are in an environment where an individual usually smokes (ex: in a car, a room).

Why does second/third-hand smoke affect children more, placing them at a greater risk?

Babies and children tend to breathe at a faster rate (3); therefore, they breathe more frequently and breathe in more air meaning they absorb more smoke than an adult. Children are also at an increased risk because their immune system is not fully developed (3). Other factors include being at an increased risk of both second and third-hand smoke because they are unable to leave the environment (3).

Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of health problems when compared to children who are unexposed to second-hand smoke:

• Children exposed are at an increased risk of dying from dying from sudden infant death syndrome
• Coughing and wheezing
• More cases of asthma are present among those exposed and these cases consist of more severe asthma symptoms
• More ear infections
• Less lung capacity
• More respiratory tract infections
• More chance of taking up smoking themselves(3)

In 2007, Health Canada reported that approximately 290, 042 children (those under 12 years of age) were regularly exposed to second hand smoke. To view statistics associated with the number of childhood diseases and deaths attributed to second-hand smoke refer to http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/second-secondaire/children-enfants_e.php. To eliminate smoking in your house and car refer to Health Canada’s seven steps for eliminating smoking in the home and car http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/pubs/tobac-tabac/second-guide/index-eng.php.

Watch some campaigns addressing second-hand smoking:

References

1. Health Canada. (2009). Second-hand smoke. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/tobac-tabac/second/index-eng.php

2. The Chemistry of Auschwitz. (1998). Zyklon-B: a pesticide and an agent of homicide. Retrieved from http://www.holocaust-history.org/auschwitz/chemistry/#iii

3. The Lung Association. (2009). Children and second hand smoke. Retrieved from http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/second-secondaire/children-enfants_e.php

4. The lung association. (2011). Smoking and tobacco. Retrieved from http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/second-secondaire/index_e.php

5. The lung association (2009). Third-hand smoke. Retrieved from http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/second-secondaire/thirdhand-tertiaire_e.php

6. Youtube. Second hand smoke anti smoking PSA. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbsLn4cZmZ4

7. Youtube. Truth “Second hand smoke.” Video retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE7B6Z6-rls