Protecting Children from Secondhand Smoke

The 2006 Surgeon General’s Report titled The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke concluded that Secondhand Smoke (SHS) causes respiratory distress, middle ear disease, increased coughing and wheezing, and decreased lung growth in children. According to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to second hand smoke makes asthma worse for an estimated 200,000 to one million children each year, often resulting in hospitalization. An analysis of pediatric smoking related illness at Children’s Hospital in Denver found that 40% of children admitted for respiratory emergencies were exposed to SHS in the home. Research shows that children who have a parent that smokes are more likely themselves to smoke and to be heavier smokers at a young age.

Over the past several years the Early Childhood Council and Tobacco Free Larimer County have joined efforts to make protecting children from exposure to secondhand smoke a community-wide priority in Larimer County. Over 500 early childhood professionals have been trained and information about the health impacts of second hand smoke has been distributed to parents with child care referrals.

Although funding for this project is no longer available due to state budget deficits, ECCLC continues to support child care providers in reducing children’s exposure to second hand smoke. Here’s how you can help:

• Strengthen the smoke free policy for your child care center or home (all childcare centers/homes already need to be smoke-free). Establish a policy that educates staff about SHS and advises those who smoke to quit.
• Share information with parents on the health effects of second hand smoke on children, and encourage parents to set smoke-free home and car policies.
• Encourage staff to share information on the SHS myths
  -The distance myth
  -The ventilation myth
  -The odor myth
  -The quit myth
• Provide information on available support to parents and staff who express an interest in quitting

Visit www.raisesmokefreekids.com for more information about secondhand smoke and the SHS myths.