Second-hand Smoke

Second-hand smoke is simply other people's tobacco smoke. Wherever people smoke, there is secondhand smoke in the air. Breathing in second-hand smoke is sometimes called passive smoking. Medical evidence has proven that inhaling side stream smoke and second-hand smoke is a demonstrable health hazard.

Smoking and Children

Every parent wants to give their child the best start possible and caring about your child could help you kick your worst habit. While you may have chosen to accept the risks that come with smoking, your children and your non smoking partner have not. Non-smokers who breathe in second-hand smoke are at risk of the same diseases as smokers, including cancer and heart disease!

With the smoking ban in force no-one can light up in offices, shops, factories, restaurants or pubs. One of the main reasons for this is research has proved that breathing in second-hand smoke is a health hazard. If your partner or a family member smokes you are 25% more likely to suffer from heart disease and lung cancer. Estimates vary but up to 750 workplace deaths a year are caused by second-hand smoke inhalation.

Second-hand smoking has immediate effects that include eye irritation, headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness and nausea. Adults with asthma can experience a significant decline in lung function when exposed to second-hand smoking. Short term exposure to tobacco smoke also has a measurable effect on the heart in non-smokers. Just 30 minutes exposure is enough to reduce coronary blood flow.

You can't reduce the risks of second-hand smoke by opening a window or blowing the smoke away from your child. If you smoke your child is twice as likely to suffer from asthma and chest infections. They are also more likely to suffer from meningitis, ear disease and cot death. Every year 17,000 children go into hospital because their parents smoke.