Secondhand Smoke and Children's Health

Secondhand smoke contains toxic substances including more than 40 which can cause cancer. Children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke because:

• they breathe more air relative to body weight and as a result absorb more tobacco smoke toxins.
• their immune systems are less protective
• they often can’t speak for themselves or their complaints are ignored by adults
• they often can’t leave when they are feeling the ill effects of breathing this health hazard

Health Problems in Children

Secondhand smoke has been lined with a number of health problems in children under 18, including:

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Lower respiratory tract infections  such as croup and pneumonia
• Acute middle ear infections
• Reduced lung function
• Tonsillitis
• Increased asthma attacks and severity
• Cancers and leukemia in childhood
• Slower growth
• Reduced oxygen flow to tissues
• Impaired attention span and alertness (affecting learning)

Impact of Smoking and Secondhand Smoke on an Unborn Baby

In pregnancy smoking deprives an unborn baby/fetus of needed oxygen and other nutrients. This may result in:

• Deficits in intellectual ability and behavioural problems
• Low birth weigh
• Spontaneous miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Reduced lung function in the baby
• Complications in pregnancy

While it is known that exposure to someone else’s smoking can harm an expectant mother’s baby, the full effects are still unknown. As a result, Health Canada makes it clear the best chance for a healthy baby and healthy mother is a pregnancy where both are Protected from exposure to any tobacco smoke. (Source ETS in Home Environments, Health Canada, 1996)

This information has been adapted from Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada Secondhand Smoke and Kids' Health.