As a parent, you are concerned about your child's health. But are you concerned enough to quit smoking?

Second-hand smoke, or passive smoke, puts children at an increased risk to suffer from lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Children are also more likely to have reduced lung function and symptoms of respiratory irritation like cough, excess phlegm and wheezing when exposed to passive smoke.

If a woman smokes during pregnancy, she is greatly increasing the chances of reducing her child's birth weight and growth during the child's first year of life. Infants may face side effects of smoking during pregnancy such as breathing movements during fetal life, cancer, respiratory disorders and heart disease. Children cannot protect themselves from passive smoking; they need to be protected.

• The most important way to keep your child completely healthy is to quit smoking, and do not take your children to areas where smoking is permitted. If you choose not to quit smoking, do not smoke in the house or around your child.
• Do not smoke while in a car.
• Do not smoke if children are present, especially infants and toddlers.
• Don't allow caregivers to smoke near your children.
• Find out the smoking policies of child care providers, preschools, schools, and other care givers for your children.
• Tell other parents about the health risks of passive smoking. Work within your child's school and in the community to promote programs against smoking.

For more information about the "Great American Smokeout," contact your local American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345, visit their website, www.cancer.org, or call Children's Hospital Community Relations Department at (865) 541-8165.

East Tennessee Children's Hospital is a private, independent, not-for-profit pediatric medical center which has served the East Tennessee region for over 65 years and is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.

Editor's Note:   Children's Hospital's Healthy Kids program is a community education initiative of the Community Relations Department. The program serves as an education resource for parents by offering classes, literature and other opportunities for learning how to improve the health and well being of children. For more information or to sign up for classes, call the Healthy Kids Hotline at (865) 541-8262.