What Is Second-Hand Smoke

What is Second-hand Smoke?

Second-hand smoke is made up of two types of smoke:

1.  Mainstream smoke

This is the smoke that smokers inhale and expel from their lungs.

2.  Sidestream smoke

This comes from the burning end of the cigarette or cigar and makes up 85 per cent of the smoke in a smoky environment.

Sidestream smoke contains more toxins & nicotine than mainstream smoke.

Exposure to second hand smoke in childhood

The health, social and economic consequences of exposure to smoke in childhood include (Royal College of Physicians 2010):

·  childhood asthma and wheeze

·  childhood middle ear infections

·  lower respiratory tract infections

·  bacterial meningitis

·  sudden infant death

·  children developing a smoking habit

REFERENCE

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. 2010. Passive smoking and children. [WWW] http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/passive-smoking-and-children.pdf (Accessed 20/01/14).

Smoke-free Homes

The Benefits

Benefits from living in a smoke-free home may include:

·  reduced risk of cot death

·  reduced likelihood of children taking up smoking

·  Increased motivation to quit smoking

·  Decreased likelihood of quit smoking relapse (less likely to restart)

·  Reduced risk of house fire

·  Clothes and home don’t smell of smoke

Making your home smoke-free

There are various things that you can do to make your home smoke-free, which might include:

·  Quit smoking

o  Quitting smoking should always be the first choice solution, but may not always be

·  Only smoking outside of your home

o  If you are not ready to quit yet, then smoking outside the best way to ensure a smoke-free home

·  No ashtrays inside the house

o  Failure to remove ashtrays from your home will leave temptation to smoke inside again, it’s best to get rid of them.

·  Lighters, tobacco and cigarettes by the back door

o  If your cigarettes or tobacco are by the back door you are more likely to remember to stick to your smoking outside routine.

·  Umbrella by the back door

o  Having an umbrella by the back door will ensure you are less likely to smoke indoors if it’s raining

·  Tell friends & family your home is smoke-free

o  This will ensure people do not ask to smoke in your home and you may receive support in keeping a smoke-free home