Second-hand smoke
Children growing up in smokey environments are breathing in second-hand smoke. Protecting children from second-hand smoke is very important to a child's health. The "Smoking in public places regulations, 2003" will serve as a strong tool to enforce...
Children growing up in smokey environments are breathing in second-hand smoke. Protecting children from second-hand smoke is very important to a child's health. The "Smoking in public places regulations, 2003" will serve as a strong tool to enforce smoke-free environments. The health risks of children are increased when exposed to second-hand smoke.
The UK Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health, (SCOTH, 1998) has stated that cot death is twice as likely for babies whose mothers smoke. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at an increased risk of asthma attacks and other breathing problems such as wheezing, coughing, phlegm and breathlessness.
Children that suffer from asthma are especially vulnerable to the harm caused by second-hand smoke. Smoking near children is a cause of serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to get ser-ious chest infections and are approximately twice as likely to need to go to hospital because of a serious lung infection during infancy. For more information contact Ms Elaine Caruana, Health Promotion Officer, tel: 2123-1347.