Protect Your Baby from Second Hand Smoke

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

30 Jul 2008 11:39 AM

Recent research has found that second hand smoke is far more dangerous to babies and young children than we all originally thought. In fact, the second hand smoke that they are exposed to now can shorten their lives later. Read on to find out about this new study and how you can protect your child.

I have never been a big fan of smoking in public. As a person who has a child with asthma, you can believe that I have done my best to protect that child from breathing in second hand smoke. But, it seems that asthma shouldn't have been my only concern. Something just as deadly could affect all three of my children later on in life, thanks to second hand smoke.

The study, done by the Nationwide Children's Hospital and Research Institute in Columbus Ohio has found that young children absorb six times more nicotine than do older kids who are exposed to second hand smoke. A whopping 40 percent of toddlers and preschoolers who were exposed to smoking at home had nicotine levels in their bodies that were the equivalent of levels found in adult smokers! We know that nicotine is addicting, and these little ones are being exposed too early.

The study also found that these children had blood-vessel damage and fewer vessel-repairing cells than they should. This could lead to clogged arteries and heart disease later in life.

The little ones breath faster and have smaller bodies, so they absorb smoke very quickly.

How can your protect your baby? Never allow anyone to smoke around him. Sometimes it might be awkward to ask someone to put out a cigarette, but it is necessary. If you are out in public, avoid any close space such as a restaurant that isn't smoke free. Smoke can still drift over to a non-smoking section. Even if you are outside, avoid standing or sitting anywhere near a smoker. If you can smell the smoke then your baby could also be breathing it in.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

More Great Articles:

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Important Child Safety Recalls: July 21, 2008

A Dangerous Pacifier Practice

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Samual (11722) 30 Jul 2008 02:13 PM

Well here smoking restaurants, pubs etc don't exist, so that will never be a problem. No one is allowed to smoke in our house but I have no problem with the children being in a smokers house every now and again, if I expect people to follow our rules in our home, I respect theirs too.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 31 Jul 2008 04:39 AM

Do the smokers smoke in front of your baby while in their home?

Samual (11722) 31 Jul 2008 08:31 AM

Of course, it's their own home.

Kara (21380) 31 Jul 2008 11:29 AM

I think its disrespectful to do infront of children.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 31 Jul 2008 11:47 AM

Believe it or not I don't actually have any smoking friends! So far this hasn't been an issue for me, but I probably would avoid going over to a smoker's home with my kids. Since I tell them that it isn't good to smoke, I feel that I would taint that message by exposing them to smoke. And of course there is the health concern.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 08 Aug 2008 06:28 AM

Look for another article about babies and second-hand smoke coming up later today!