Are you a parent who smokes? If so, you may not be aware of the harmful effects that smoking in front of or around your children and babies can have on their health and well-being. In this blog post, we will explain why second-hand smoke is dangerous, especially for young ones, and what you can do to protect them from it.

What is second-hand smoke?

Second-hand smoke is the smoke that comes from a cigarette and the smoke that is breathed out by a smoker. It contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including 50 that are known to cause cancer in adults. Second-hand smoke can linger in the air for hours, even with a window open, and can spread to other rooms in the house or the car.

Why is second-hand smoke harmful for children and babies?

Children and babies are more vulnerable to second-hand smoke than adults because they have smaller and less developed airways, lungs and immune systems. They breathe faster and take in more air relative to their body weight, which means they inhale more of the toxic chemicals in second-hand smoke.

According to the NHS, children and babies exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to develop:

- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death. This is when a baby dies suddenly and unexpectedly in their sleep, usually before they are six months old. Second-hand smoke increases the risk of SIDS by disrupting the baby's breathing and brain function.
- Low birth weight. Mothers who breathe second-hand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have a baby weighing less than 5.5 pounds. Low birth weight babies are weaker and have a higher risk of serious health problems, such as infections, bleeding in the brain, breathing difficulties and developmental delays.
- Weak lungs. Babies who breathe second-hand smoke can have weaker lungs than other babies, which increases their risk of respiratory infections, asthma, allergies and chronic lung diseases later in life.
- More sick days. Children whose parents smoke around them get bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, coughs and colds more often than children who live in a smoke-free environment. These illnesses can affect their growth, learning and behaviour.
- Asthma. If children already have asthma, second-hand smoke can trigger more asthma attacks and make their symptoms worse. Asthma attacks can be life-threatening and require emergency treatment.
- Meningitis. This is a serious infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord that can cause brain damage or death. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to get meningitis than children who are not.

How can you protect your children and babies from second-hand smoke?

The best way to protect your loved ones from second-hand smoke is to quit smoking completely. Quitting smoking will not only benefit your own health, but also the health of your family and friends. You will also save money, improve your appearance, smell better and feel happier.

If you are not ready to quit, you can still take some steps to reduce your children's and babies' exposure to second-hand smoke:

- Always smoke outside. Never smoke inside the house or the car, even with the windows open or when your children are not around. Smoke can stay in the air for hours and seep into furniture, carpets, curtains and clothes.
- Ask your visitors to smoke outside. Do not let anyone smoke near your children or baby, even if they are relatives or friends. Explain that you are doing this for your children's health and ask them to respect your decision.
- Go out to eat at smoke-free restaurants. Avoid places that allow smoking indoors or outdoors, as your children may still breathe in second-hand smoke from other smokers.
- Teach your children to stay away from second-hand smoke. Educate them about the dangers of smoking and passive smoking, and encourage them to avoid places where people smoke.

By following these tips, you can create a healthier environment for your children and babies, and reduce their risk of developing serious diseases caused by second-hand smoke.

References:

: [Passive smoking - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/passive-smoking-protect-your-family-and-friends/)
: [How Smoking Harms Your Child | Smokefree](https://women.smokefree.gov/pregnancy-motherhood/smokefree-motherhood/how-smoking-harms-your-child)
: [How does secondhand smoke affect your baby - WebMD](https://www.webmd.com/baby/what-to-know-about-secondhand-smoke-and-your-baby)
: [The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke - HealthyChildren.org](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Dangers-of-Secondhand-Smoke.aspx)