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Smoke-free Living |
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- Children exposed to second hand smoke are more at risk for developing health problems such as asthma, allergies, breathing problems and ear infections. They are more likely to be cranky and restless and have more difficulty with reading and math because of decreased alertness.
- Children have no control over the environment in which they are placed. They are not able to protect themselves from second hand smoke.
- Even if the child is placed in another room, the smoke drifts from one room to another via the ventilation system and eventually reaches your child.
- Smoke circulates like air. Even if someone smokes away from the child, the chemicals found in smoke, in particular nicotine, sticks to clothes. This is especially important for babies who, when they are carried, often have their faces pressed up against adults' clothing. This can irritate their eyes and nose.
- Children whose parents smoked were almost twice as likely to smoke as children whose parents never smoked.
- Ontario adults, including 49% of current smokers, support a law prohibiting parents from smoking inside a home where children are living.
Make Your Home Smoke-Free
Although most people are non-smokers, many of us deal with second hand smoke somewhere. Create a smoke-free home to keep everyone healthier.
Some ways to make your home smoke-free:
- Talk about it with your family. Discuss how you are going to do it and why.
- If you live with a smoker, be supportive and encourage him/her to quit. Be firm about your choice to live in a smoke-free home.
- If you have to smoke, try to smoke outside. Ask family members for support.
- Let every guest, including babysitters know that you don't want smoking in your home or around your children.
- Take your children for a walk or play outdoors if they are too young to be left alone indoors while you go outside to smoke.
- Post a smoke-free home sign on your door to let visitors know that you do not allow smoking in your home.
Last updated March 2010
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