Our children and second-hand smoke

 

As parents, we try to keep our children safe and healthy every day.
Smoke-free places where we live and play definitely help to keep our children healthy.

Thanks to an Ontario-wide law, smoking has been eliminated from virtually all indoor public places; however, our children are still exposed to second-hand smoke near the doorways of buildings, including many doctor’s offices, and in parks and playgrounds.

The dangers of second-hand smoke are especially risky for our children.

Why is second-hand smoke an issue?

While many places in Ontario are smoke-free, including cars with youth under 16, second-hand smoke is still an issue for our children because: 
 

• Approximately 1 in 5 Ontarians are smokers
• There are 50 chemicals in second-hand smoke that can put our children’s health at risk
• Scientists say that even breathing in small amounts of second-hand smoke can cause health problems for children and adults

The risks for our children are higher because they breathe more often than adults and they are still growing. Children who regularly breathe in second-hand smoke can face many health risks, including:

• coughing and wheezing
• painful ear infections
• asthma and other breathing problems
• bronchitis, croup and pneumonia

As well, children of smokers are also more likely to start smoking themselves.

We know quitting smoking isn't easy, but if you’re a parent who smokes and are thinking about quitting, we’re here to help. Contact the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline, a free and confidential service, available via phone at 1 877 513-5333 or online that can provide you with information, advice and support on quitting or helping someone else to quit.