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The Dangers of Second Hand Smoking

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Sherri Dmyterko: Whether it's from a burning cigarette, a cigar, or a pipe, exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious health risk. In fact, it's estimated that secondhand smoke will cause over 300 lung cancer deaths, and at least 700 deaths from coronary heart disease this year alone.

Stephanie Dean is with Health Canada's Tobacco Control Programme and says about 800,000 children under the age of 18 are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.

Stephanie Dean: Second-hand smoke is particularly dangerous to little ones because their lungs are still growing and developing. Babies who breathe in secondhand smoke have a higher risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome.

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma. Secondhand smoke can also cause an increase in the number of ear infections in children.

Opening a window, using an air freshener, using a fan, using an air purifier; these may remove some of the smoke from indoor air but they are really not a 100% effective. There is only one way to eliminate secondhand smoke from indoor air, and that's too remove the source and to make your home and car smoke free.

Sherri Dmyterko: To help families get on the right track, Health Canada has developed a smoke free home and car kit.

Stephanie Dean: This guide has been developed to give families the tools they need to make their homes and cars smoke free. It gives suggestion for getting families talking about the importance of a smoke free environment, for putting rules in place, for dealing with challenging situations such as when family members or friends stop by and want to light up, and coping strategies for when that urge to light up strike, such as during the hectic morning commute.

Sherri Dmyterko: You can order the smoke free home and car kit free of charge by going online at www.gosmokefree.ca or by calling 1-800-0-Canada. Sherri Dmyterko reporting.

Sherri Dmyterko: Whether it's from a burning cigarette, a cigar, or a pipe, exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious health risk. In fact, it's estimated that secondhand smoke will cause over 300 lung cancer deaths, and at least 700 deaths from coronary heart disease this year alone. Stephanie Dean... click to read more


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