Journal of Preventive Medicine

Introduction

Second-hand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke) is the smoke that a smoker exhales from the tip of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar that has been lit. It has almost 4,000 compounds in it. Many of these substances are hazardous; over 50 have been linked to cancer. These toxins are inhaled by youngsters whenever they are exposed to second-hand smoke.

In new-borns and children, second-hand smoking causes a variety of health concerns, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, lung infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).Every year, more than 1,000 babies die as a result of smoking during pregnancy. Coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer are just a few of the health problems induced by second-hand smoke in adults.

If an infant is exposed to second hand smoke, they are more likely to die from SIDS. Children are more likely to develop major health problems, or for existing problems to worsen. Children who are exposed to second hand smoke are more likely to have Infections of the ears, Colds and coughs, Bronchitis and pneumonia are examples of respiratory ailments, Tooth decay [1].

Children of smokers cough and wheeze more frequently and have a more difficult time recovering from colds. They also miss a lot of school days. Other symptoms of second-hand smoke include runny nose, headache, sore throat, eye irritation, and hoarseness. Second-hand smoking is especially harmful to children with asthma. It could lead to more asthma attacks, and the attacks could be more severe, necessitating hospital visits.

Lung Cancer is caused by Second-hand Smoke

Adults who have never smoked develop lung cancer through second hand smoke. Nonsmokers who are exposed to second hand smoke at home or at work have a 20–30% increased risk of lung cancer. Each year, second hand smoking kills more than 7,300 nonsmokers in the United States. Nonsmokers inhale many of the same cancer-causing chemicals and toxins as smokers. Even short exposure to second hand smoke can harm cells in ways that set the cancer process in motion. As with active smoking, the longer and higher the level of secondhand smoke exposure, the greater the risk of lung cancer.

SIDS is caused by Second hand Smoke

The sudden, unexplained, and unexpected death of a new born in the first year of life is known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the main cause of death in new born who are otherwise healthy. SIDS is made more likely by second hand smoke. Women who smoke during pregnancy have a higher risk of SIDS. SIDS is also more likely in infants who are exposed to second hand smoke after birth. Chemicals in second hand smoking appear to interfere with the brain's ability to regulate infants' breathing. SIDS babies have higher nicotine levels in their lungs as well as higher amounts of cotinine (a biological marker for second hand smoke exposure) than babies who die from other causes.

Children are harmed by Second hand Smoke

In children, second hand smoke can cause major health concerns. According to studies, older children whose parents smoke are more likely to become ill. Their lungs do not develop as well as those who do not breathe second hand smoke, and they are more susceptible to bronchitis and pneumonia. Children who are exposed to second hand smoke are more likely to have wheezing and coughing. A child's asthma attack might be triggered by second hand smoke. When children with asthma are exposed to second hand smoke, their asthma attacks are more severe and frequent. A severe asthma episode can endanger a child's life. Ear infections are more common in children whose parents smoke around them. They also have fluid in their ears more frequently and require more ear tube placement operations [2].

Heart Disease (Cardiovascular Disease)

Inhaling second hand smoke has been shown to impair the cardiovascular system and raise the risk of heart attack, especially in people who already have heart disease. Nonsmokers who are exposed to second hand smoke have a 25-30% increased risk of heart disease. Each year, an estimated 46,000 people die from heart disease as a result of second hand smoke exposure. When second hand smoke is inhaled, the risk of stroke is also enhanced.

Effects on Babies in the Womb

Secondhand smoke has been shown to harm unborn children. When a pregnant woman smokes during her pregnancy, baby usually weighs less at delivery than babies born to nonsmoking parents. Low birth weight is one of the most common causes of newborn death. Is more likely to suffer developmental problems like learning difficulties and cerebral palsy. Pregnant women who are simply exposed to second hand smoking put their babies at risk [3].

Effect on Children's Health

Children's lungs develop more slowly when they are exposed to second hand smoke on a frequent basis. The following are some of the effects of second hand smoking on children:

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): It is a condition in which an infant dies suddenly. Babies exposed to second hand smoke have an increased chance of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which occurs when a child under the age of one year dies suddenly and unexpectedly. Smoking while pregnant also raises the risk of SIDS [4].

Middle ear infection: Children exposed to second hand smoking had a considerably increased chance of acquiring middle ear illness, according to a 2012 meta-analysis published in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. The eustachian tube is irritated by cigarette smoke inhaled. Infections are the most prevalent cause of hearing loss in youngsters as a result of the swelling.

Keeping the Risks to a Minimum

The only way to truly safeguard small children is to completely stop. It's also critical to keep your child away from other smokers and to smoke in a way that doesn't expose them to second hand or third hand smoke if you do smoke.

Do not smoke within home, and do not allow others to do so. In an enclosed location, opening windows or utilising air filters is insufficient to protect people from second hand smoke. Smoking is not permitted in automobiles. Even if children aren't around, one should keep in mind that toxins settle on surfaces and will be exposed to them. Avoid exposing children to second hand smoke inside (restaurants, athletic events, friends' residences where smoking happens, etc.). Smokers in outdoor areas should be kept at a safe distance. Although outdoor air helps to dilute cigarette smoke, if the wind is blowing in one's direction, one can still inhale harmful air.

Smokers should go outdoors, away from other people, particularly children and pregnant women. Smoke can linger in the air for hours after cigarettes have been extinguished. As a result, even if someone smokes alone in a room, others will eventually inhale the smoke. People, their clothing, furniture, toys, and carpets are all affected by smoke. This "third hand smoke" is difficult to remove with soap and water. Children who come into contact with surfaces that have been exposed to third hand smoke will absorb the harmful chemicals via their skin and breathe them into their lungs. After smoking, smokers should wash their hands and change their clothes before holding or hugging youngsters.

No smoking in a car with other people, even blowing smoke out the window reduces smoke exposure very little, if at all. Also, if someone smokes near child, don't be afraid to speak up. Ask the person politely not to, but be prepared to step away from the smoker if the situation becomes uncomfortable. If there are any additional smokers in family, offer encouragement and support to help them quit. Smoking is incredibly addictive, thus quitting is difficult. However, there are numerous support groups and tobacco-free initiatives available to assist people in quitting [5].

References

1. El-ardat MA, Izetbegovic S, El-ardat KA (2014) Effect of cigarette smoking in pregnancy on infants anthropometric characteristics. Mater Sociomed 26: 186-7.
2. Zhou W, Heist RS, Liu G, Asomaning K, Miller DP, et al. (2006) Secondhand smoke exposure and survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients. Clin Cancer Res 12: 7187-93.
3. Gemine R, Lewis K (2016) Smoking Cessation with Lung Cancer: Not Too Little, Never Too Late! EMJ Respir 4: 86-91.
4. Jones LL (2012) Parental smoking and the risk of middle ear disease in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 166: 18-27.
5. Agaku IT, Singh T, Rolle I, Olalekan A-Y, King BA (2016) Prevalence and determinants of secondhand smoke exposure among middle and high school students. Pediatrics 137: e20151985.