Everyone feels that smoking is dangerous, especially for youngsters. But what are the possible effects of secondhand smoke on children, particularly the infant and secondhand smoke? Let’s investigate 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 method of involuntary exposure affects all people in close proximity to a smoker, and thus of course children. The effect can be seen during pregnancy, even before a child is born. Tests show that prenatal exposure to nicotine, as it is contained in cigarette smoke, will result in low birth weight in a baby. And, it may contribute to prenatal death and resulting miscarriage. After the baby has been born, secondhand smoke has been linked to the much-feared sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which causes healthy infants less than one year of age to die without warning. Children who survive their infancy and later on get asthma will find their attacks to be more severe than those of their counterparts who live in smoke free environments. Because of the toxins that are exhaled as well as emitted from a lit cigarette, children who are exposed to secondhand smoke regularly develop 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 sampling of the effects of secondhand smoke on children.

Nevertheless, the most grevious damage done by tobacco smoke to children is the injury inflicted on their lungs. An infant and secondhand smoke are a deadly combination. Infants who were exposed to nicotine in utero, oftentimes have restricted lung functions, which is the reason they are more susceptible to succumbing to SIDS during the first months of life. One of the reasons why babies are so adversely affected by secondhand smoke is because their breathing rate is quicker than an adult’s breathing rate, and therefore, by weight, they are receiving a larger proportion of secondhand smoke and all its toxins than an adult would. Add to this point the developmental immaturity of a baby’s lungs and it is clear that so many hospitalizations can be directly linked to a parent’s smoking around the children.

Another issue to ponder is the amount of exposure of kids to cigarette smoke. Oftentimes smokers have other smokers within their close circle of friends and acquaintances and choose not to limit smoking to the outdoors or any other location separate from the children. Therefore, a child is usually not only exposed to a parent’s or caregiver’s secondhand smoke, but also to that of their friends, family, and other adults. Tragically, children who are exposed regularly to secondhand smoke will be candidates for developing lung cancer, not unlike 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 irreversible. Make sure your kids live in environments that are smoke-free. Put the respiratory health of your kids before the risks involved with smoke exposure. Monitor 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. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Authoring Articles.

Copyright 2008 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.