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Second Hand Smoke

Is Second Hand Smoke really harmful for my child?

There is no longer a debate that smoking is harmful. It is also very clear that breathing second hand smoke (SHS) is harmful. A child can inhale what equals 100 packs of cigarettes by age five in a home with SHS. Some readers of this brochure may be smokers who help care for children. We hope this information will encourage you to quit. Children’s Hospital takes the harm of smoking and SHS very seriously. Children’s Hospital has been a smoke‐free facility since 2010.

What is SHS?

  • SHS is any smoke inhaled by a non‐smoker. It includes the smoke that smokers have inhaled and exhaled back into the air.
  • SHS can contain more than 3,800 different chemicals. At least 250 of those chemicals can cause cancer.
  • SHS is “sticky”. It sticks to surfaces in cars and in the home. It sticks to clothing and hair.
  • SHS is long lasting. SHS chemicals will build up wherever they stick.
  • SHS reacts with chemicals in the air. That reaction forms new chemicals that are being called “third hand smoke”. Some chemicals of third hand smoke are thought to be cancer risks also.

What happens in a lung exposed to SHS?

Several harmful things occur in the lung and airways.

  • Airways swell when irritated by SHS chemicals. Small airways in children can swell almost shut.
  • Airway swelling traps germs and viruses. Pneumonia can result.
  • The lungs are unable to clean themselves. Small hairs (cilia) in the airways act as sweepers. They help remove dust and other particles we breathe in. Cilia work poorly when the lungs are irritated.
  • Lungs produce more mucus when irritated. The extra mucus can plug off small airways.
  • Lungs irritated over and over again can develop permanent damage.

Do children face special risks from SHS?

Studies show that SHS:

  • Increases sudden infant death (SIDS) in infants.
  • Increases the chances for cancer (leukemia).
  • Causes 150,000 to 300,000 lung infections each year. (This total is for only those children less than 18 months of age.)
  • Doubles the risk for pneumonia or bronchitis. Increases 4 times the risk of needing hospital care for pneumonia.
  • Increases the risk of ear fluid build‐up (otitis media). Increases 4 times the need for surgery to drain fluid from the ears.
  • Increases by 150% the risk of having sinus and nasal problems.
  • Causes thousands of new cases of asthma every year.
  • Worsens asthma attacks for up to 1,000,000 children each year.
  • Increases cholesterol levels in a child’s blood.
  • Doubles the chances a child will become a teenage smoker.

How will quitting help a smoker?

Quitting is hard. There is no question about that. Any person who quits should be very proud. They will have kicked a habit harming all those close to them. That pride can be even greater if they have protected a child from SHS!

Other benefits of quitting will include:

  • Less risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
  • Improved senses of smell and taste.
  • No more morning cough.
  • Money can be saved every day.
  • Fewer sick days.
  • More physical energy.
  • Clothes, hair, home, and car will all smell better.

It is never too late. The effects of quitting can be felt quickly. Even long‐term smokers will see some or all of these benefits.

  • Blood pressure and heart rate decrease within 20 minutes
  • Carbon monoxide in the blood decreases within 8 hours
  • Decreased risk of having a heart attack within 24 hours
  • Lung irritation begins to heal in about 2 weeks

What leads to success in quitting?

  • Get Help Quitting Smoking signPicking a date in the near future (within 2 weeks) to begin.
  • Asking for support from
  • Family or friends
  • A counselor or a local stop smoking group
  • A phone counselor at 1‐800‐QUIT‐NOW
  • Talking to a doctor about the benefits of cessation drugs.
  • Making plans to handle daily events that prompt smoking.
  • Planning a personal reward using money that will be saved.

What help is available for quitting?

Smokers need not face this struggle alone. Many good resources are available. Two such resources are:

Smoke Free Knoxville
(865) 215‐5174
Sponsored by the Knox County Health Department and local hospitals
\https://www.facebook.com/SmokeFreeKnoxville

TN Tobacco Quitline
FREE and open for calls 24 hours a day
1‐800‐784‐8669 (1‐800‐QUIT‐NOW) or for hearing impaired 1‐877‐559‐3816
Sign up online at www.tnquitline.com
Available in Spanish
Also offers follow up support

How can I protect my baby or child while quitting?

  • Take it outside. Never smoke in the house or car. Do this even when children are not present.
  • Wear a “smoking jacket” and hat to smoke outside. Remove them when returning inside.
  • When caring for a baby:
    • Never smoke while holding a baby.
    • Always wash hands before caring for a baby.
    • Put on smoke free clothing before holding a baby.
    • Use a clean blanket to shield a baby from SHS on clothing (only if SHS clothing cannot be changed)
    • Never stop trying! Many smokers fail to quit 5 to 7 times before succeeding.