Second-Hand Smoke & Asthma in Children

Second-hand smoke is extremely dangerous to anyone who breathes it in, particularly on a regular basis. For a child, whose lungs and other organs are still developing and growing, the consequences can lead to asthma and other serious health problems.

Causing New Asthma

Second-hand smoke can cause children who were previously unaffected to develop asthma.

Exacerbating Existing Asthma

Second-hand smoke can trigger more asthma attacks in children who already have asthma.

No Level Is Safe

The Surgeon General has recently announced that there is no level of second-hand smoke that is risk-free.

Dangerous Chemicals

There are over 250 chemicals and poisons in cigarette smoke, and levels in second-hand smoke are even higher, as they have not gone through the cigarette filter but instead burn from the cigarette directly into the air.

Other Negative Effects of Second-Hand Smoke

Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke on a regular basis are much more prone to bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Resources

• The Surgeon General provides its findings on the effects of second-hand smoke
• Info from the American Lung Association about second-hand smoke and children
• Health effects of second-hand smoke on children from the Americans for Non-Smokers' Rights