- Knowledgebase: Cough, Congestion, and Ears
- Questions about the managment of coughs and congestion, as well as ear infections.
- 6. My husband smokes. Does it hurt the rest of us? - Top
- The effects of second-hand or passive smoking has been studied extensively. Children who are exposed to cigarette smoke have been shown to have more illness (four to five times more) including colds' ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. All recent reports indicate that children exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of lung cancer as adults despite not smoking themselves.
The lining of the respiratory system (from the nose through the trachea and lungs) is our primary protection from the from the germs we breath into our system. When this lining is injured such as by the chemicals in second-hand smoke, it is unable to protect our Goody from invasion of those forms.
The only way to totally prevent this effect is to eliminate smoke in a child's environment. Because of the things we have done to our houses for energy efficiency' smoke will be maintained in a house for 24 hours even ii it occurs in a part of the home where the child does not coo. So if parents or otters are unable to stop smoking, they should smoke outside at all times in the interest of their children's health.
- Updated: March 22, 2001
-
[e-Mail me the Knowledgebase]- [Search
our Knowledgebase] - [Question Not Answered?]
|
