Childhood Exposure Risks: Secondhand Smoke
This topic really should not need to be covered. The dangers of smoke exposure to others, particularly to young children, has been apparent for many years. Unfortunately, when I ask, “Does anyone smoke around your child” during well-child checkups, the answer is still “yes” more times than I would like to hear. The frequency IS decreasing, which is encouraging. However it happens often enough that I feel the need to address it specifically.
Sometimes I don’t have to ask the family about smoke exposure. Sometimes I walk in an exam room and am overpowered by the smell of smoke. It makes my adult lungs hurt to breathe it in, and I can only imagine what it is doing to the still-developing lungs of the young child in the room…and in the home…and in the car…
The dangers of second hand smoke
Secondhand smoke contains approximately 4,000 chemicals. 4,000!
This exposure is particularly dangerous to young children because their lungs are not fully developed. While infants are obviously born with the ability to breathe, the lungs continue to grow and develop rapidly for the first 2 years of life. New spaces for air exchange in the lung continue to grow slowly until at least age eight, and there is evidence this may even continue to occur into adolescence. However, when this new, fragile lung tissue is exposed to the harsh and harmful chemicals in secondhand smoke, this development is disrupted.
- Unborn children exposed to secondhand smoke have higher rates of prematurity, miscarriage, and lower birth weights.
- Infants exposed to secondhand smoke have higher rates of SIDS
- Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a much higher risk of developing asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections.
- Teens who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to smoke themselves.
Ways to help
While the best way to protect your child from secondhand smoke is NOT to smoke, there are a few things you can do to help reduce exposure while you are still smoking.
- Do not smoke inside, even if you “have a window open.”
- Dedicate a jacket or other outer clothing to wear while smoking. Remove this before you come back inside. Alternatively, change your clothing, especially shirt, when you come inside. Smoke seeps into the fibers of your clothing and when a young child snuggles with you they will breathe it in.
- Wash your hands and arms after smoking.
- NEVER smoke in the car.
E-cigarettes & Vaping
Contrary to what the manufacturers would like you to believe, second-hand exposure of these vapors are still dangerous to the lungs of children. It is not a simple or harmless water vapor that is expelled. Many e-cigarette vapors include nicotine, which is highly additive. They may contain heavy metals, They also contain flavorings, such as chocolate, fruit, candy, and coffee, which can make them very appealing to children but also are created through use of chemicals that can cause serious lung diseases. While there is some evidence that e-cigarettes may be helpful to adults who are trying to quit smoking, they are still producing vapors that are dangerous for children to breathe in. Lung damage from secondhand vapors leads to the same long-term problems listed above.
Next week, we will discuss use of e-cigarettes and vaping, in regards to our teenage population in particular.
Marijuana
Here in Colorado and increasingly in other states as well, recreational use of marijuana has been legalized, making it much more prevalent in homes across the country. Unfortunately, I think there is a misconception that secondhand smoke exposure from marijuana is not harmful for children.
Just because it is legal, does not mean it is safe!
Studies have shown that the cannabinoids that give the person smoking marijuana the “high” that they are seeking are also present in the smoke that is exhaled – and they enter the systems of the people exposed nearby. How significant the exposure is depends on the proximity of the person smoking, how long the child is around that person, and the ventilation of the environment. But it is clear that secondhand cannabinoid exposure DOES happen in children who live in households where adults are smoking marijuana.
As a side note – there is a bigger issue with secondhand marijuana inhalation in children. It is not just the harm caused to developing lungs but to the developing brain as well. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests exposure of cannabinoids to the developing brain has permanent effects on memory, executive functioning (mature decision making skills), and even IQ. This is the very opposite of what we want for our children.
Final thoughts
I wish this article didn’t need to be written. I wish every child had the opportunity to grow in a smoke-free environment. I think we have made large strides in this direction, but we have a long way to go. In no way am I saying that it is easy to quit something as addictive as smoking, but there are many free resources out there to help you. If you want motivation and inspiration, simply think of the beautiful little one looking up to you. Do it for your child.
Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htm
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