exacerbated by second-hand smoke.
• Study found that women who had undergone treatment for early breast cancer were twice as likely to die from their cancer if they continued to smoke.
How does second-hand smoke affect children?
• Every one who breathes in second-hand smoke is endangering their health, but young children are particularly at risk as their lungs are smaller and more delicate. They are, therefore, seriously affected by tobacco smoke and the chemicals it contains.• Children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to need hospital care in their first year, and are more susceptible to coughs, colds and wheezes and are off school more often.
• In New Zealand, each year second-hand smoke causes:
- more than 500 hospital admissions of children under two years suffering from chest infections. vii
- more than 27,000 GP consultations for asthma and other respiratory problems in childhood. V
- 1000 cases of glue ear.
- 50 cases of meningococcal disease.
- 20,000 asthma attacks in children.
- 50 deaths from SIDS (Cot deaths)
• Young people exposed to second-hand smoke at home are seven times more likely to smoke.
• Having a home free of smoking is an easy way of protecting your children from exposure to SHS.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.ash.org.nz/)
