Smoke-Free Nova Scotia
National Non-Smoking Week is Canada’s largest,
longest lasting, and arguably most successful public education campaign
on the dangers of smoking. In Nova Scotia from January 19- 25, this year’s
campaign will focus on children and youth.
What Is Secondhand Smoke?
Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke from a burning cigarette
and the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Many people find secondhand unpleasant,
annoying, and irritating to the eyes and nose. More importantly, it represents
a dangerous health hazard. Over 4,000 different chemicals have been identified
in secondhand smoke, and at least 50 of these chemicals cause cancer.
Who Is At Risk?
Secondhand smoke is dangerous to everyone. Secondhand smoke causes heart
disease, lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer and respiratory ailments in adults.
Most at risk though, are unborn babies, infants and children.
Secondhand Smoke and Unborn Children
- slows down babies' growth and development
- increases risks of miscarriages and stillbirths
- causes fetal growth impairment
- cuts down the unborn baby's oxygen supply
Secondhand Smoke and Infants
- has an effect on the baby's growth
- increases an infant's risk of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Second-hand Smoke and Young Children
- causes bronchitis, pneumonia, and middle ear disease
- increases both the frequency and severity of childhood asthma
- causes emotional stress when children learn that breathing tobacco smoke
in their house, school or other indoor public places could make them very
sick
- children are almost twice as likely to start smoking if their parents
smoke
How You Can Protect Children from Secondhand Smoke?
- make your home and car smoke-free areas
- If you smoke, QUIT. Start with the understanding that smoking is not
just a habit. It is an addiction that's very difficult to beat.
- If you are pregnant, now is an ideal time for you to quit. The healthier
you are, the healthier your baby.
- If you find it hard to quit, contact the Nova Scotia Department of Health
or visit their website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/tcu
- encourage and support the management of public places like restaurants,
recreation centres and shopping malls to provide a smoke-fee environment
- Find out about the smoking policy in your child's school and work with
school officials to help clear the air.
- Contact your municipal government to pass laws to ban smoking in all
indoor public places and workplaces.
- Join community groups that support nonsmoking environments for all Nova
Scotians.
For more information please contact Smoke-Free Nova Scotia President Dr.
Robert Strang at (902) 864-9633 or (toll free) 1-866-777-7374 or visit
our website: http//www.smokefreens.ca
