Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Creating Smoke-Free Homes and Cars for Kids

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Topics 1.What is Secondhand Smoke (SHS) 2.What is the Problem 3.The Dangers of SHS Exposure 4.Why Kids are More Susceptible 5.Health Risks to Kids 6.Pregnancy and SHS 7.Solutions for Protecting Kids

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is Secondhand Smoke (SHS) A combination of the smoke emitted by the burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe and the smoke exhaled by the lungs of the smoker. 1

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is Secondhand Smoke (SHS) SHS has higher concentrations of many of the toxins found in inhaled cigarette smoke. 1 SHS contains more than 4,000 chemicals, at least 250 of which are toxic, and more than 50 of which can cause cancer! 1

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is Secondhand Smoke (SHS) Chemicals, gases, and metals in cigarette smoke that are inhaled by smokers and non-smokers alike: 2 Metals: aluminum, titanium, lead… Acetone – nail polish Ammonia – floor/toilet cleaner Arsenic – poison used in pesticides Carbon monoxide – car exhaust fumes Chromium VI –pigments for dyes, inks Ethanol – alcohol

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is Secondhand Smoke (SHS) AND… Formaldehyde – preserver of body tissue Benzene – industrial solvent Hydrogen cyanide – gas chamber poison, chemical weapons Methanol – rocket fuel Nitrobenzene – gasoline additive Polonium 210 –chemical element that gives off radiation Cancer Causing Agents: urethane, nickel, cadmium…

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is the Problem? The Environmental Protection Agency has classified SHS as a Group A carcinogen – one of the most dangerous substances known to cause cancer. 3 In 2006, the California Environmental Protection Agencys Air Resources Board designated SHS a Toxic Air Contaminant, an airborne toxic substance that may cause and/or contribute to death or serious illness. 4

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is the Problem? The U.S. Surgeon Generals 2006 report on secondhand smoke concluded that secondhand smoke causes disease and premature death in nonsmoking adults and children. 5

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is the Problem 2006 Report by the Surgeon General 5 There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Breathing even a little secondhand smoke poses a risk to your health. Separating smokers from non- smokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is the Problem 2006 Report by the Surgeon General 5 60 percent of nonsmokers have biological evidence of exposure. Adult exposure is decreasing due to workplace laws, but children are still exposed at home. Children show levels of exposure more than twice those of adults. An estimated 22 percent of children (60 million) are exposed in their homes.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is the Problem Parents are responsible for 90 percent of childrens exposure to secondhand smoke. 6 It takes up to three hours for the smoke from one cigarette to clear from an average sized room. 7

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) What is the Problem Even after the smoke is gone, toxic residue remains on the carpet, walls and on objects. Children may absorb these toxins. 8 Smoking in cars, even with the windows open, can produce smoke pollution that compares with smoky bars. 9

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Dangers of SHS Exposure Kills more than 50,000 nonsmokers each year, 10 about the same number of Americans as die from murder, drugs, and AIDS combined 11 Causes more than 3,000 lung cancer deaths and more than 45,000 heart attack deaths in NON-SMOKING adults each year 4 A nonsmoker exposed to SHS at work or home increases their risk of heart disease by 25-30%, and lung cancer by % 12

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Dangers of SHS Exposure Normally, tiny little hairs called cilia expel toxins and mucus from the lungs. Tobacco smoke damages the cilia, leading to a buildup of bacteria and an increased number of infections.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Why Kids are More Susceptible Kids are Especially Susceptible! Children breath at a faster rate than adults, inhaling more air. Childrens bodies are smaller than adults, and their immune systems are less developed. Often children cant escape smoky environments. Kids can inhale the equivalent of 102 packs of cigarettes by age 5. 13

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Health Risks to Kids Increased risk for bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, and other respiratory infections 3,5 °twice as likely to suffer from acute lower respiratory disease 14 Greater risk of middle ear infections 3,5 °greater likelihood of needing tubes in their ears and losing their hearing

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Health Risks to Kids Asthma: Can cause new cases of asthma 3,5 Can trigger attacks, and make attacks more severe 3,5 400,000 to 1 million US children have their asthma worsened by exposure to SHS 16 Asthma is the 3rd leading cause of hospitalization for kids under 15 17

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Health Risks to Kids Reduced lung development and capacity 3,5 °coughing, wheezing, breathlessness Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) 3,5 May increase risk of leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumors in children 5

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Health Risks to Kids Increased risk of contracting cancer later in life 15 Higher rates of school absenteeism nationwide 20 Impaired learning ability: lower scores on reading, math, logic & reasoning tests 21

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Pregnancy and Secondhand Smoke Dangers of secondhand smoke and smoking during pregnancy: Higher rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) 5,22 Low birth weight and development issues 5 °Low birth weight is the second leading cause of infant death 23

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Pregnancy and Secondhand Smoke Increased chance of miscarriage and stillbirth 5 Increased risk of premature birth 5 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 24 Weaker lungs, which increases the risk for many health problems 5

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Solutions for Protecting Kids What can you do? Dont smoke in your home and car and dont let others to do so when children are present. Never smoke around a pregnant woman and if youre pregnant, dont smoke.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Solutions for Protecting Kids Tell guests that you dont allow smoking inside because you want to protect your family. Make gum or mints available as an alternative for guests who smoke. Place a chair, table and ashtray outside to make guests feel more comfortable smoking there.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Solutions for Protecting Kids Post no smoking signs in your home and car to let people know about your decision to make these places smoke-free. If someone in your household smokes, be understanding, but encourage him or her to quit or smoke outside. Let them know that cigarette smoke affects everyone, not just the smoker. Let them know you want to help.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Solutions for Protecting Kids Dont allow babysitters or other people who work in your home to smoke around you or your children. Find out about the smoking policies of the day care providers, pre-schools, schools and other care-givers for your children.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Solutions for Protecting Kids Help other parents understand the serious health risks to children from secondhand smoke. Work with parent/teacher associations, your child board and school administrators, community leaders, and other concerned citizens to make your childs environment smoke-free.

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) Solutions for Protecting Kids The best thing you can do for your childrens health is quit smoking °California Smokers Helpline NO.BUTTS °US Dept. of Health and Human Services QUITNOW 1800quitnow.cancer.gov1800quitnow.cancer.gov

Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS) For more information contact: Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke Funding provided by: First 5 Placer - Children & Families Commission