Smoking

Secondhand smoke is made up of two types of smoke: mainstream (breathed in and out by smokers) and sidestream (smoke from the burning tip of a cigarette). Secondhand smoke is dangerous for children as they are growing up because:

• Smoking near children is a cause of serious respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of children developing asthma and can cause asthma attacks.

• Younger children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are much more likely to contract a serious respiratory infection.

• There is an increased risk of meningitis for children who are exposed to secondhand smoke.

• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to get coughs and colds, as well as middle ear disease, which can cause deafness.

'Third-hand smoke' that lingers on things such as clothes, furnishings and carpet can be as dangerous to babies and children as secondhand smoke.

Source: www.take7stepsout.co.uk

Keep them away from all cigarettes and smoky places (a room where even one person is smoking). Smoking in the house, even with the door or a window open will not stop smoke drifting into other rooms and lingering for a long time.

• Keep living, sleeping and eating areas smokefree.

• Make your car a smokefree zone.

• Ask other people not to smoke around your child.

• Avoid smoking anywhere around your children. If you smoke go outside and take 7 steps away from the door.