Children And Secondhand Smoke- What Smoke Does To Their Lungs
?Do as I say, don?t do as I do.? This statement should
make every parent wince and stop in their tracks, and rightfully so. Not
only does it smack of hypocrisy, but it also negates any sense of
responsibility on a parent?s part, and you know that children learn by
your example and not your words. Many a smoker will confide that he or
she does not what their children to take up smoking, and wish they had
never started themselves. Of course, wishing does little to change the
situation, and any parent who understands the risks and dangers
associated with smoking will do well to do everything possible to stop
this filthy habit before it also claims the life, health and pocket
books of their children. Yet, as a smoking parent, do you really
understand what secondhand smoke does to your children?s lungs? You
probably have heard that it is bad for them, but do you know why?
Secondhand smoke is the name of the smoke that is emitted by a
lit cigarette mixed with the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker engaged
in the process of smoking. This kind of smoke affects all those who are
in close proximity to a smoker, and thus of course children. The effect
can be seen even before a child is born. Research has proven that a
prenatal exposure to nicotine, as it is contained in cigarette smoke,
will lead to a low birth weight in a baby. Additionally, it may
contribute to prenatal death and resulting miscarriage. Of course, once
the infant is born, secondhand smoke has been linked to the much feared
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which causes healthy infants less
than one year of age to die without recognizable causation. Children who
survive their infancy and later on suffer from asthmas will find their
asthma attacks to be more severe than those of their counterparts who
live in smoke free environments. Because of the toxins that are exhaled
as well as emitted from a lit cigarette, children who are exposed to
secondhand smoke quite often suffer from aggravated conditions of the
respiratory system, such as chronic bronchitis, postnasal drip, and
frequent colds. Of course, there are also other health risks, such as an
increased risk of ear infections and sore throats.
Nonetheless, the most severe damage done by secondhand smoke to children is the
damage inflicted on their lungs. Infants who were exposed to nicotine
before birth, quite often have reduced lung functions, which is the
reason there are more susceptible to succumbing to SIDS after birth. One
of the reasons why children are so adversely affected by secondhand
smoke is the fact that their breathing rate is more rapid than an
adult?s breathing rate, and thus, by weight, they are receiving a larger
dose of secondhand smoke and all its toxins than an adult would. Add to
this factor the developmental immaturity of a child?s lungs and it is no
surprise that so many hospitalizations are directly traced to a parent?s
smoking around the children.
Another factor to consider is the quantitative exposure of children to cigarette
smoke; usually smokers have other smokers in their direct circle of friends and
acquaintances and are less likely to ban smoking to the outdoors or any other location
away from the children. Thus, a child is usually not only exposed to a
parent?s or caregiver?s secondhand smoke, but also to that of their
friends, family, and acquaintances. Sadly, children who are exposed
consistently to secondhand smoke will be at a high risk of developing
lung cancer, just like their smoking parents and caregivers are. There
is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a hospitalized child whose
fear of the unknown is clearly visible in their eyes and mannerisms.
Similarly, if parents for some reason are unable to remain by the
child?s side at all times, this fear is compounded drastically. Quite
possible the worst part of smoking related hospitalizations in children
who were exposed to secondhand smoke is the fact that they could have
been summarily avoided. Do not wait until it is too late and your little
one needs to make an unscheduled trip to the hospital; quit now for the
sake of your kids!