Long ago, smoking was allowed everywhere and people were not aware of what smoking meant. Smoking kills. It kills those who smoke and it kills those who smoke without putting a cigarette in their mouth, I mean all the people and children who are passive smokers. Too many tobacco-related deaths from lung cancer or heart disease from second-hand smoke to be overlooked.
Millions of children breathe tobacco smoke in their homes or in places where other people smoke and thus become passive smokers. Tobacco smoke can be especially harmful to children's health because his lungs are still developing.
If you are a smoker and you smoke in front of your children, you should know that you are causing your children to be passive smokers and you are directly damaging their health. If this happens your children are in danger. Children whose parents smoke in front of them, They will be passively exposed to chemicals from the smoke. And the best way to protect children from this risk is to quit smoking. Plus, you'll be doing your own health a favor.
Smoke and its dangers
Children and adults exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk, but the dangers don't end there. There are more risks associated with tobacco smoke than we usually realize. Environmental tobacco smokeSecondhand smoke, also called secondhand smoke, is the mixture of the smoke exhaled by the smoker (mainstream smoke) and the smoke that comes out of the lit end of the cigarette, pipe or cigar (sidestream smoke).
This smoke contains around four thousand chemical substances, all of which pose a health risk; it is known that at least 250 are clearly harmful substances and that more than 50 are carcinogenic. Children who breathe ambient smoke are also exposed. to these chemicals, even if they have never touched a cigarette.
Furthermore, it has been shown that tobacco smoke can contain thousands of additional compounds, of which more than 7.000 have been identified in some analyses. Many of these promote the development of cardiovascular diseasesrespiratory problems and various types of cancer. When a non-smoker breathes this smoke regularly, the risk to their health can be almost as high as that of an active smoker.
Smokers, even if they don't intend to harm those around them, end up exposing their family and other children to a mixture of chemicals that a child's body is not prepared to withstand. Children, because of their smaller size and because they breathe more times per minute than an adult, They inhale proportionally more toxins due to the same amount of smoke in the environment.
But that's not all; tobacco smoke can also be harmful when it comes to... third-hand smokeThis has negative effects and is very harmful. Thirdhand smoke is the smoke that lingers on places and objects where smoking has occurred previously, causing toxins to remain and be harmful to health for a long time.
This smoke can be found on the walls of a bar where smoking is allowed, on the upholstery of car seats, on the furniture in a home, on curtains, carpets, toys, clothes, and even on the hair of an adult or child who has been near someone who has smoked. It is not eliminated simply by ventilating.Neither with basic air purifiers nor with air fresheners; many of these substances adhere firmly to surfaces and can be released back into the air or absorbed through the skin.
When a child crawls on the floor or touches furniture and toys contaminated with these particles, they can put traces of toxins in their mouth, absorb them through their skin, and inhale them back into the air. This means that The risk continues even when no one is smoking at that moment and explains why smoking in another room or only doing it when the child is "not there" is not real protection.
The effects of smoking around children
Most people are unaware of all the dangers of smoking around children. Just as an adult exposed to secondhand smoke increases their risk of health problems, so does a child. is exposed to suffering serious disorders because other people make me have to be a passive smoker.
To make matters worse, children, being still developing, are particularly susceptible to the effects of exposure to tobacco smoke. Their lungs, immune system, cardiovascular system, and even their brain are in the process of maturing, so any environmental damage, like tobacco smoke, it can leave a lasting mark.
In the past, parents didn't have enough information and thought that smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke wasn't so bad; besides, you only had to look at people in society—smoking was perfectly normal. Today, we have the advantage of numerous scientific studies that demonstrate its risks. We are also fortunate to be rational beings who can think critically and take preventative measures to avoid children developing health problems caused by the tobacco smoke produced by adults.
Children of parents who smoke They will be more likely to have different health problemsAnd they are also more likely to become smokers in adolescence. Simply growing up in a home where smoking occurs significantly increases the likelihood that a child will experiment with tobacco and become addicted later in life.
The health problems that have been linked to exposure to tobacco smoke in childhood range from mild but repeated discomforts to serious and potentially fatal illnesses, both in the short and long term.
- Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome in newborns.
- Respiratory infections, bronchitis, bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
- An increased risk of developing middle ear diseases.
- A higher risk of having slower lung development.
- A higher risk of wheezing, coughing, and chronic fatigue.
- A higher risk of developing lung cancer or heart problems.
- Possibility of premature death.
In addition to all this, there are other consequences that often go unnoticed. Children who live in homes with smoke often miss more school days Due to respiratory illnesses, they suffer more ear infections and ear problems that can affect their hearing, and they have more difficulty achieving good athletic performance or staying physically active due to their respiratory limitations.
It has also been observed that children exposed to passive smoking are more frequently affected. asthma or worsening of existing asthmaMore episodes of persistent coughing, more colds, catarrh, and respiratory allergies. And not only during childhood: continued exposure to smoke in the early years of life increases the risk of suffering from these conditions as adults. chronic asthma, coronary heart disease, and various types of cancereven if they never end up smoking.
Many people think that smoking without children present eliminates the risk to them or others in the home, but this is not true. There are studies and reports that show that nicotine levels are very high in children's hair. even if the parents have gone outside to smoke. These measurements in hair, urine, or blood demonstrate that children continue to receive nicotine and other tobacco compounds even when the smoker tries to "protect" them by smoking in another area.
This may be due to leaving windows and doors open, allowing smoke to enter the rooms with the air, which means children will continue to be exposed to smoke particles and their negative effects. Thirdhand smoke also plays a role; it lingers on clothing, skin, hair, and objects, and children touch, lick, or breathe it in when the smoker is back in their lives.
Specific consequences of passive smoking in babies and children
The impact of tobacco smoke is not the same at all ages. babies and toddlers They are the most vulnerable because they spend more time at home, depend on adults for everything, and their organs are immature. The following has been observed in them:
- Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome when there is exposure to smoke during pregnancy and after birth.
- More episodes of bronchiolitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other acute respiratory infections.
- More cases of otitis media, some chronic, which can cause hearing loss.
- Higher likelihood of asthma or more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children already diagnosed.
- Increased frequency of symptoms such as cough, mucus, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
- Alterations in lung growth, with reduced lung function as measured by respiratory tests.
During school age, continuous exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with more school absenteeism, worse academic performance due to repeated health problems, increased fatigue, lower tolerance to physical exercise and, in some studies, even behavioral disorders and attention problems related to a less healthy environment.
One worrying aspect is the effect of smoke on the early cardiovascular developmentIndicators of oxidative stress and alterations in blood vessels have been found in children exposed to tobacco smoke, suggesting that the risk of heart disease may begin to develop from the first years of life when they live with smokers.
It has even been described that young children living with smoking parents are more likely to develop higher blood pressure than those whose parents do not smoke, which in the long term translates into a greater risk of cardiovascular problems if these factors are not corrected.
The effect of tobacco smoke during pregnancy
When we talk about the dangers of secondhand smoke in children, we cannot forget that The child's first environment is the mother's wombA pregnant woman exposed to tobacco smoke, even if she doesn't smoke herself, also makes her baby a passive smoker in utero. Many of the compounds in smoke cross the placenta and reach the fetus directly.
During pregnancy, exposure to tobacco smoke has been linked to:
- Higher risk of miscarriage.
- Increase in premature births.
- Low birth weight and worse intrauterine growth.
- More obstetric complications and problems with the placenta.
- Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome after birth.
When the mother actively smokes, the risk is higher, but if she is a passive smoker, significant levels of substances such as nicotine and its metabolites are also detected in the fetus. Some studies have even equated the effect of secondhand smoke inhaled by a pregnant non-smoker living with smokers to that of smoking several cigarettes a day.
In addition, tobacco smoke can alter lung and brain development of the baby during gestation, predisposing them to respiratory problems, sleep disorders, and difficulty controlling breathing—factors that have been linked to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Possible long-term effects on neurological development and behavior have also been described.
Does protecting yourself by smoking outside or using ventilation work?
Smoking outside the home is much better than smoking inside or near children, but there is no evidence that it completely eliminates the risk of secondhand and thirdhand smoke for children. Smoke that lingers on clothing, hair, and skin, as well as particles that drift in through doors and windows, continues to expose children to toxic substances.
There are many misconceptions about how to eliminate smoke of tobacco in enclosed spaces:
- “Air filters or purifiers eliminate smoke.” False. They may reduce the smell or visible particles somewhat, but they do not eliminate the toxins present in tobacco smoke.
- “Smoking at home or in the car when I’m alone isn’t harmful.” False. Toxic substances remain in the environment and on surfaces; the child will inhale them later.
- “Smoking in another room is safe.” False. The smoke and its effects spread throughout the house through the air and become ingrained.
- “Opening windows or using fans eliminates smoke.” False. Smoke can permeate surfaces and last for weeks or months, even if it no longer smells.
The only truly effective way to protect children is create completely smoke-free environments At home, in the car, and in all the spaces where the child spends time. It's not enough to "smoke less," "go out onto the balcony," or "use air fresheners"; the goal should be zero smoke in children's environments.
The role of electronic cigarettes and marijuana
Some people think that e-cigarettes or vaping devices are harmless and that vaping around children poses no risks. However, the aerosol emitted by these devices, with or without nicotine or marijuana, It contains chemicals that may be harmful. for developing lungs.
Marijuana smoke or vapor also contains many of the toxic substances found in tobacco smoke, in addition to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for its psychoactive effects. Exposing children to this type of smoke adds an unnecessary risk to their physical and mental health.
Therefore, the rules of “smoke free space"This should include tobacco, marijuana, and all vaping devices. It is important that parents know about the different types of e-cigarettes, pods, disposable or rechargeable vapes and their risks, and that they talk openly with their older children and teenagers about the dangers of nicotine and these products, which can contribute to addiction to other substances."
How to protect children from tobacco smoke
The best thing a smoker can do for their health and the health of their children is give up smokingOnly in this way can you prevent children from being exposed to smoke in any form. Quitting smoking isn't easy, because nicotine is highly addictive, but there are many resources, programs, and professionals who can support you through this process.
Meanwhile, it is essential to establish two basic rules to protect minors:
- No smoking allowed inside the houseSmokers should go outside, away from other people, especially pregnant women and children. Smoke remains in the air for hours after a cigarette is extinguished, so smoking even "alone in a room" will leave residue that others will inhale later. If you have smoked, it is advisable to wash your hands and, if possible, change your clothes before holding or hugging a child.
- No smoking allowed in the carExhaling smoke out the window does not significantly reduce smoke exposure; the space is small and concentrations of toxins can be very high, even with the car in motion.
In addition to quitting smoking, it will also be necessary Do not take children to places where smoking is allowed.Even if no one is smoking at the time, toxic particles will have permeated everything. Make your home a smoke-free place and be the best example for your children.
Many parents don't want their children to grow up to be smokers, but there's no better teacher than setting a good example. If you want your child to be a non-smoker, you must quit smoking yourself if you are one. Your example will make the difference in your children's future habits; seeing a father or mother who does not smoke (or who has managed to quit) reduces the likelihood that the teenager will start smoking.
As children grow up, they should be aware of the serious consequences that smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke have on their bodies and their current and future health. Talking about it naturally, without drama but clearly, and reinforcing their ability to say "no" to tobacco and vaping will give them tools to protect themselves outside the home as well.
Creating completely smoke-free homes, cars, and everyday environments, accompanied by good information and consistent example from adults, is one of the most powerful decisions that can be made to take care of the present and future health of children.