Children And Second Hand Smoke Research Paper

Children and Second Hand Smoke Tyra White Period 6

Thesis: Approximately 11% of children under the age of six years old are exposed to second hand smoke on a regular basis.

Although

the

problem

doesn’t

seem

severe,

second

hand smoke can affect a child in ways that can not only affect

their

lives

temporarily,

but

can

cause

them

to

suffer for a lifetime.

Not only are children influenced by media, but they are also greatly affected by the actions of those around them. Actions made by a parent, such as smoking, can do a lot of harm psychologically and physically on a child. One main poison that is taken in by the child is second hand smoke.

The

definition

of

second

hand

smoke

is

“Environmental tobacco smoke that is inhaled involuntary or passively by someone who is not smoking” (MedicineNet Inc). Although this may sound harmless, the inhalation of second hand

smoke

can

have

a

negative

impact

on

the

body,

especially that of a child.

Unfortunately the effects of second hand smoke on a child are more severe than they would be for an adult. Children

are

more

vulnerable

because

they

are

still

physically growing, they have higher breathing rates, and have little control over indoor environments (U.S. EPA).

These factors, set aside from the dangers of the second hand

smoke

itself,

put

children

at

a

higher

risk

of

fatality once inhaling too much second hand smoke.

Second substances, (U.S. EPA). smoke

are

hand

smoke

many

in

contains

which

are

over

known

four

for

thousand

causing

cancer

The deaths of non smokers from second hand currently

on

the

rise.

Approximately

three

thousand non smokers die of lung cancer yearly, due to the effects

of

second

hand

smoke.

This

number

includes

children. Although it isn’t likely that children develop heart disease, it can still be produced over time, if the child regularly inhales the toxins in second hand smoke.

There probably

are aren’t

other

effects

considered

of

as

second fatal,

hand but

smoke

are

that

just

as

serious and can cause long term damage to a child. Second hand

smoke

previously

can

cause

displayed

asthma

in

a

child

symptoms

on

the

that

hadn’t

illness.

Young

infants are also greatly impacted. Second hand smoke can cause

respiratory

pneumonia.

infections

such

as

bronchitis

and

Over exposure to second hand smoke also puts

children and infants at risk of middle ear disease (U.S. EPA).

Second hand smoke can affect a young child, but it can also cause children to die premature deaths, and in some cases, before they leave their mother’s womb (American Lung Association). An expecting mother that inhales second hand smoke regularly can kill the child before they are fully developed. the

most

under

Again, babies and young children especially are vulnerable,

developed,

and

mainly their

because immune

they

are

systems

dependent,

aren’t

strong

enough to battle the many toxins present in second hand smoke.

Although

professionals

are

doing

what

they

can

in

order to find vaccines and prescription drugs to cure or ease the health defects caused by second hand smoke, it is the responsibility of adults to be more courteous, so maybe that infant won’t die of pneumonia, or that child next door won’t die of a severe asthma attack. In the end, it is left up to parents to watch their children, and be aware of surroundings. This also means that parent have to learn to lead by example and not smoke in the presence of children (American Lung Association).

An ear infection may not seem like such a “big deal” but one must keep in mind, the effects of second hand smoke

on children can be more severe and even fatal, and can last a lifetime.

Works Cited Second Hand Smoke definition-Medical dictionary of popular medical terms. 2007 MedicineNet Inc. March 18 2007. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=13423

Health Effects of Exposure to Second Hand Smoke. 2007 United States Environmental Protection Agency. March 18, 2007. http://www.epa.gov/smokefree/healtheffects.html#Serious%20H ealth%20Risks%20to%20Children

Secondhand Smoke Fact Sheet. 2007 American Lung Association. March 18, 2007. http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35422