CHILDREN NEED SMOKE-FREE AIR

• Secondhand smoke is especially harmful to children. Exposure increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. EPA estimates between 150,000 and 300,000 of these cases annually in infants and young children up to 18 months of age are attributable to exposure to secondhand smoke. Of these, between 7,500 and 15,000 will result in hospitalization and between 136 and 212 deaths. (Source: Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer & Other Disorders. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, December 1992)

 

• Secondhand smoke exposure increases the frequency of episodes and severity of symptoms in asthmatic children. The report estimates that 200,000 to 1,000,000 asthmatic children have their condition worsened by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Exposure is a risk factor for new cases of asthma in children who have not previously displayed symptoms. (Source: Respiratory Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Lung Cancer & Other Disorders. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, December 1992)

 

• Chemicals present in secondhand smoke include cancer causing substances such as benzene-found in gasoline, lead-car batteries, arsenic-poison, cadmium-rechargeable batteries as well as other harmful toxins such as formaldehyde-body preservative, ammonia-toilet bowl cleaner, and acetone- nail polish remover. (Source: Health Effects of Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Final Report, Sacramento. California Environmental Protection Agency, September 1997)

 

• Secondhand smoke is linked with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and is responsible for 1,900-2,700 deaths per year. (Source: The Journal of Pediatrics, February 2002 )

 

• Middle ear infections caused by secondhand smoke lead from 700,000 to 1.6 million physician office visits each year. Repeated infections can lead to hearing loss and other complications. (Source: The Journal of Pediatrics, February, 2002)