Many Children Are Exposed to Secondhand Smoke

Smokefree Cars and Homes Protect Kids

Infographic showing trends in childhood exposure to secondhand smoke by race/ethnicity

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.

Smokefree homes and cars are vital to protect children!

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)

RELATED POSTS