A province-wide campaign launched in November, encourages those who smoke to take it out of the car and away from children.

"Children are among the most vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke,” says Liz Haugh, Director of Health Promotion, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. “There is scientific evidence that exposure to tobacco smoke puts youth at a greater risk of developing reduced lung function, bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, middle ear infections, and asthma. Infants exposed to second-hand smoke have an increased chance of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), cancers and slower growth.” Infants and children are more severely affected by secondhand smoke than adults because they have higher respiration rates relative to body size and therefore absorb more tobacco toxins.

The Non-Smokers’ Rights Association recently published a position paper, citing evidence that smoking a single cigarette for only five minutes in a vehicle can result in concentrations of particulates reaching levels similar to those measured in smoky bars.

“We know that parents want to keep their children safe,” concluded Liz Haugh. “Those who continue to smoke around their kids may be unaware of the risks or are unable to quit because of a nicotine addiction. We are trying to raise awareness of these risks, and to let smokers know that it is important to keep vehicles smoke-free to protect children.”

For more information about second-hand smoke and tips to help quit smoking, please contact the Health Unit’s Tobacco Hotline by phone at 519-258-2146 ext. 3218 or by email at tobacco@wechealthunit.org.