Many Children Are Exposed to Secondhand Smoke
Smokefree Cars and Homes Protect Kids
According to the CDC, “Secondhand smoke exposure contributes to approximately 41,000 deaths among nonsmoking adults and 400 deaths in infants each year. Secondhand smoke causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth.”
About 4 out of 10 U.S. children aged 3–11 years (40.6%) are exposed to secondhand smoke, and the main place where children are exposed is in the home.
HEALTH EFFECTS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE ON CHILDREN
Secondhand smoke exposure is a huge health threat for many children. Learn the facts!
CHILDREN IN THE HOME
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information about children and secondhand smoke exposure in the home, and the health effects of exposure.
CHILDREN AND SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE
Excerpts from The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General
U.S. SMOKEFREE CAR LAWS
Arkansas
Persons < age 14 (Effective 07/27/2011)
California
Persons < age 18 (Effective 01/01/2008)
Louisiana
Persons < age 13 (Effective 08/15/2006)
Maine
Persons < age 16 (Effective 09/01/2008)
Oregon
Persons < age 18 (Effective 01/01/2014)
Puerto Rico
Persons < age 18 (Effective 08/09/2017)
Utah
Persons < age 16 (Effective 07/01/2014)
Vermont
Persons < age 9 (Effective 07/01/2014)
Virginia
Persons < age 8 (Effective 07/01/2016)