Recent research has found that second hand smoke is far more dangerous to babies and young children than we all originally thought. In fact, the second hand smoke that they are exposed to now can shorten their lives later. Read on to find out about this new study and how you can protect your child.
I have never been a big fan of smoking in public. As a person who has a child with asthma, you can believe that I have done my best to protect that child from breathing in second hand smoke. But, it seems that asthma shouldn’t have been my only concern. Something just as deadly could affect all three of my children later on in life, thanks to second hand smoke.
The study, done by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Research Institute in Columbus Ohio has found that young children absorb six times more nicotine than do older kids who are exposed to second hand smoke. A whopping 40 percent of toddlers and preschoolers who were exposed to smoking at home had nicotine levels in their bodies that were the equivalent of levels found in adult smokers! We know that nicotine is addicting, and these little ones are being exposed too early.
The study also found that these children had blood-vessel damage and fewer vessel-repairing cells than they should. This could lead to clogged arteries and heart disease later in life.
The little ones breath faster and have smaller bodies, so they absorb smoke very quickly.
How can your protect your baby? Never allow anyone to smoke around him. Sometimes it might be awkward to ask someone to put out a cigarette, but it is necessary. If you are out in public, avoid any close space such as a restaurant that isn’t smoke free. Smoke can still drift over to a non-smoking section. Even if you are outside, avoid standing or sitting anywhere near a smoker. If you can smell the smoke then your baby could also be breathing it in.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don’t miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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