What is it?
Secondhand smoke is the combination of the smoke released from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe, and the smoke exhaled by the person who is smoking.
Why is it so dangerous?
Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Thesechemicals include arsenic, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide andbenzene – just to name a few. Overall, there are more than 60chemicals found in secondhand smoke that are known to causecancer. And according to the 2006 Surgeon General’s report, there isno such thing as a safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.Breathing even a small amount of secondhand smoke is harmful toyour health.
Why is it particularly dangerous for children?
Because their bodies are still growing and developing, inhaling thechemicals in secondhand smoke can be especially dangerous forchildren. Breathing secondhand smoke slows a child’s lung growthand greatly increases a child’s likelihood of developing ear infections,more severe and frequent asthma attacks, allergies, bronchitis andpneumonia. And infants exposed to secondhand smoke are morelikely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Where are children breathing secondhand smoke?
Children are most often exposed to secondhand smoke inside theirown homes and cars. No matter where children are breathing smoke,it’s always dangerous to their health, and children who live withparents or others who smoke indoors are constantly being exposed todangerous chemicals. According to the Surgeon General’s Report,almost three million children under the age of six in the United Statesbreathe secondhand smoke at home at least four days per week.
How can you help?
As a child care provider, you have daily contact with these children andtheir parents. By choosing to communicate helpful and practicalinformation, you can be a spark that creates change and helps parentstake a step toward improving their child’s health.
Where You Come In:Tips to Help You Make a Difference
Be child-focused.
The health of a child is the number onemotivating message you can share with parents.Even when discussing a parent’s smokinghabits, center everything in your conversationon the child. Make sure parents know that yourconcern is for their son or daughter’s health isyour motivation for speaking with them.
Be confident.
Just in case you’re thinking that the subject ofsecondhand smoke and children is the last thinga parent wants to hear from you, take a look atthe following facts:
- Only 18.7% of New Hampshire adults are smokers.
- 58% of New Hampshire smokers try to quit every year.
- Smokers who understand just how harmful secondhand smoke is are likely to take the steps necessary to protect their children.
- Smokers who successfully develop the habit of smoking outside have been shown to be more likely to quit smoking.
Be a conversation starter.
Asking parents questions is often a great way toapproach the subject of secondhand smoke.When asking questions, be sure to uselanguage that gets to the heart of the issuewithout placing blame.
Be positive.
Make sure your message to parents is caring,not attacking. Parents love their children morethan anything in the world and would probablydo just about anything to keep them safe andhealthy. Let them know you understand that.Then focus on the good news that you can helpthem create a healthier place for their children.
Be sensitive.
Realizing just how dangerous secondhandsmoke is to children can also make parentsrealize that, through their smoking, they’veunwittingly harmed their children. Obviously,this can be troubling for parents to hear. Alwaysapproach this topic gently and remember tocontinually center your conversation on ashared concern for the wellbeing of the child.
Be understanding.
Quitting smoking isn’t an easy thing to do. Andfor many parents, neither is stepping outside tosmoke. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge that.Remind parents your not asking them to quitsmoking; you are encouraging them to stepoutside the home and car when they smoke.