Early Childhood - The Dangers of Smoking - Physical

Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of tobacco smoke exposure.

Children of parents who smoke are reported to have:

• An increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 
• More respiratory infections such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
• An increased risk of slower lung growth.
• An increased risk of middle ear diseases.
• An increased risk of wheezing, coughing and breathlessness.

Can you reduce the risk of passive smoking for children?

Many people believe that smoking outside eliminates the risk to children or others in the home. Reports show that nicotine levels are still significantly high in the hair of children even if parents smoke outside. This might be due to leaving windows or doors open, it might be due to smoke entering the door as a smoker returns inside, or perhaps due to children being exposed to clothes with smoke particles on them.