Effects of Secondhand Smoke and Children
Secondhand
smoke is the smoke from burning tobacco and the smoke exhaled by the
smoker. When a person smokes, harmful chemicals are released into the
air and breathing these chemicals can cause cancer.
No one should be allowed to smoke around a baby or child. Smoking
around a baby or child makes he or she more likely to get:
- Colds
- Ear Infections
- Coughs
- Breathing Problems
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Lower I.Q.
- Childhood Cancer
Smoke can change the way a baby's brain and lungs develop. Secondhand
smoke is also a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Researchers have detected cancer-causing chemicals in the urine of
nearly half of babies of smoking parents.
For help to quit smoking, call the Alabama Tobacco Quitline at
1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), and learn about Sudden Infant Death and
the Back to Sleep campaign at:
