December 13, 2007
THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is urging drivers and adult passengers to keep their vehicles smoke-free when heading out on the road this winter.
"Children are among the most vulnerable to the damaging health effects of second-hand smoke, “ says Ken Ranta, Manager of Tobacco Control at the Health Unit. “There is international scientific consensus that exposure to tobacco smoke puts youth at a greater risk of developing bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, ear infections and asthma, while infants have an increased chance of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).”
According to Health Canada, second-hand smoke kills more than 1,000 Canadians every year, and the latest Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS) results show that 25 per cent of Canadians are being exposed to second-hand smoke in the vehicle.
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. Infants and children are more severely affected by second-hand smoke than adults because their small bodies have higher respiration rates.
“Children can’t choose who they travel with or how safe the trip will be,” continues Mr. Ranta. “So we are asking parents, caregivers or any adults traveling with kids to protect them by keeping vehicles smoke-free. All passengers, especially young children, have the right to be protected.”
Opening vehicle windows does not diminish the risk and smoking only when children are not passengers is not a safe option. The only way to protect children from the negative health effects of second-hand smoke is to make vehicles smoke-free.
“We know that parents want to keep their children safe,” concluded Mr. Ranta “. Those that continue to smoke around their kids may be unaware of the risks or are unable to quit because of a heavy nicotine addiction. We want to raise awareness of these risks, and to let smokers know that options are available to keep the vehicle smoke-free and protect children.”
For more information about protecting children and others from second-hand smoke and tips to quit smoking, please call the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-5982 or visit www.tbdhu.com.
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