Passive Smoking greatly affects young children and toddlers because they are very sensitive and easily vulnerable to it.
Effects of Passive Smoking on Children:
- Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke at home can easily develop bronchitis, pneumonia. They will have less developed lungs that have a reduced ability to function well.
- Temporary affects of passive smoking on children are shortness of breath, coughing, sore throats, pressure or tightness in their chest, wheezing etc.
- They are more likely to suffer ear infections, fluid in the ears, chronic middle ear disease or “glue ear”, which could lead to some loss of hearing.
- They can suffer from possible cardiovascular disorders and various types of cancers in childhood as well as in adulthood.
- They are more likely to die of cot death. If a mother smokes, the risk of the baby suffering a cot death is twice as high.
- They are at a higher risk of developing meningitis.
- They are more likely to be hospitalized before they reach their 2nd birthday.
What the Researches say about it?
- Research has shown that children, who grow up in a smoky household, have a greater risk of respiratory and lung disorders.
- These children are usually absent from school more often than children who grow up in a smoke-free home.
- Some studies say that children who are exposed to passive smoking are more likely to have behavioral problems and they may not develop mentally as quickly as other children.
- Children with asthma who live in homes where one parent smokes are twice as likely, than children with asthma whose parents do not smoke, to take time off school due to a respiratory illness. If both the parents smoke, then the asthmatic children is four times as likely to be absent from school.
- Studies show that even if a child does not suffer from asthma, but both their parents smoke, they will have a 40% higher chance of being absent from school due to a breathing illness.
- Studies have shown that exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to the development of asthma in children who were not born with it.
- Children who are continuously exposed to passive smoking may not develop proper learning abilities.
- Children exposed to passive smoking can easily develop conflictive attitude towards their teachers and elders.
Passive smoking can cause the same number of fatal diseases to children the way it happens with a smoker. So, parents should take necessary steps to avoid these dangers.
Provide a smoke free atmosphere and smoke free air to your child.
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September 24th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
i hate people who smoke i dnt evam no y thy invented it