Babies most affected by cigarette smoke

May 31, 2009

BESIDES smoking being the leading cause of lung cancer, a recent research indicated that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of penile cancer in Uganda. <br>

BESIDES smoking being the leading cause of lung cancer, a recent research indicated that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of penile cancer in Uganda.

According to a report from the surgeon general at the US Department of Health and Human Services, children are most affected by second-hand smoke.

Second-hand smoke contains more than 250 chemicals known to be toxic or cancer-causing.

Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke inhale the same cancer-causing substances and poisons as smokers because:

Their bodies are developing, infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the poisons in second-hand smoke.

Babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant and babies who are exposed to second-hand smoke after birth are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome than babies who are not exposed to cigarette smoke.

Mothers who are exposed to second-hand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have lower birth weight babies, which makes babies weaker and increases the risk for health problems.

Babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant or who are exposed to second-hand smoke after birth have weaker lungs than other babies, which increases the risk for many health problems.

Second-hand smoke exposure causes acute lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and young children.

Second-hand smoke exposure causes children who already have asthma to experience more frequent and severe attacks.

Second-hand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms, including cough, phlegm, wheeze and breathlessness among children.

Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of ear infections and are more likely to need an operation to insert ear tubes for drainage.

Children aged 3-11 years and youth, aged 12-19 years are significantly more likely than adults to live in a household with at least one smoker.

It should be noted that on average, children are exposed to more second-hand smoke than non-smoking adults. Doctors have noted that even brief exposure to cigarette smoke can be harmful.

The next time you light a cigarette in a public place, be aware that you are not only endangering your life, but also the lives of thousands of innocent people.

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