Considering what's known about secondhand smoke today, some might find it hard to believe that smoking was once permitted inside such confined public areas as restaurants, buses and airplanes. Yet in spite of the protective measures that have been taken in recent years, secondhand smoke continues to be a problem for everyone, especially children, whose developing bodies leave them open to long-term, even permanent, damage from the 4,000-plus chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Some researchers suggest secondhand smoke may even lead to nicotine addiction in young people who have never lit up in their lives.
What's Secondhand Smoke?
Secondhand smoke is actually comprised of two types of smoke: sidestream smoke, which is produced by a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe, and mainstream smoke, which enters the air after it's been exhaled by a smoker. Although more smoke may be visible when a smoker exhales, the more dangerous of the two is sidestream smoke. It contains more cancer-causing carcinogens and smaller toxic particles, which can infiltrate the young cells of a child's body more easily.
Secondhand Smoke and Nicotine Addiction
For years, researchers have claimed exposure to secondhand smoke increases a child's likelihood that he or she will smoke as an adult. Although the jury's still out on whether nicotine addiction plays a role in this, those who support the theory point to these facts: Nicotine is among the most highly addictive drugs in use; and children, who many believe are more susceptible to addiction than are adults, can easily inhale and absorb nicotine through secondhand smoke. In one study of 1,488 children who were exposed to secondhand smoke, 5 percent showed signs of nicotine addiction.
Not Just Bad for the Lungs
That's not to say a child has to be addicted to nicotine to suffer ill effects from tobacco smoke. Acute respiratory infections, severe asthma, a variety of ear problems, frequent sore throats, poor blood circulation, sudden infant death syndrome, learning issues in school and behavior problems have all been connected with secondhand smoke inhalation. The proof is in the numbers: Every year, secondhand smoke causes more than 750,000 cases of middle ear infections and sends as many as 15,000 infants and toddlers to hospitals with lung infections.
Avoidance Is the Cure
Research has shown there is no safe level of secondhand smoke for children. So the only surefire method of preventing your childrens health from being affected by it is to keep them as far away from secondhand smoke as possible. Although smoking regulation laws have made for more smoke-free environments, keeping your child out of danger might be more difficult than you might think. A recent study determined that up to 75 percent of children in the United States have detectable levels of nicotine byproducts in their blood. To keep your child out of this group, you have to be proactive. Don't allow your children to ride in vehicles where smokers are present. If you feel your area is lacking in smoke-free environments, contact the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to see what you can do about it. And above all, if you smoke, quit. Not only will it provide your children with a healthier environment, but it will set a good example for them and make you healthier as well.
