They Depend on Us...
Children face a higher risk than adults of the negative effects of secondhand smoke. When the air is tainted with cigarette smoke, young, developing lungs receive a higher concentration of inhaled toxins than do older lungs. In The News
Toddlers Affected Most by Secondhand Smoke Exposure at Home
Secondhand
smoke in the home appears to induce markers for heart disease as early as
the toddler years, researchers reported at the American Heart Association's
48th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and
Prevention.
Fines for Smoking in Cars With Kids Begin in Australia
Police and tobacco control officers will start penalising Tasmanians caught smoking in vehicles carrying children from next week.
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Young children have less control over their surroundings than the rest of us. Babies can't move to another room because the air is smoky. They depend on us to provide them with clean air to breathe.
What do you think?
Do you think secondhand smoke is dangerous? Should it be banned in public? Vote in the polls below and see how your opinions compare to those of others.
Do you think secondhand smoke poses a serious health risk?
Yes
No
Not Sure
Should smoking be banned in restaurants?
Yes
No
There should be a designated smoking area
Should smoking be banned at outdoor places like parks and playgrounds?
Yes
No
Not Sure
More on Secondhand Smoke
Comments
I am addicted to the nicorette gum! And its getting very expensive.
I quit smoking two years ago April 23 I started with the patches and graduated to the gum after 4 months it seem to work better for me.
I have TMJ so it was hard for me to chew at first. I’ve never been a gum chewer anyway. But for the last 20 months I have chewed the gum !! Now this is ridiculous, I love being smoke free but the gum is more expensive than cigerettes what do I do?? Please help me. Is there a Placebo gum to use that tastes like nicorette because I have already tried regular gum but it is not the same. I have gained alot of weight at least 50lbs since I quit. It would be more wirhout the gum I’m sure. I am desperate to quit altogether please let me know how I have read all the data and thought about the pill chantix or something but I heard it was dangerous for some people at risk for heart attacks thats me!! Somebody has surely gone through this before..I’m desperate for support and help..Betty
Hi Betty,
You certainly are not alone - nicotine gum has a risk of re-addiction. This problem affects more people than you might imagine.
Addicted to Nicotine Gum
The bottom line is that you can wean yourself off of the gum, and end your need for nicotine permanently. You quit smoking - you can do this too.
Visit our Support Forum here at About.com Smoking Cessation - we’ll help you take this final step to freedom that you so deserve.
Best, Terry
Terry Martin, Guide to About.com Smoking Cessation