Secondhand Smoke Prevalence

Research from the 2006 Surgeon General reported that 60 percent of U.S. children between ages 3 and 11 years --- nearly 22 million young people --- are exposed to secondhand smoke (see Reference 3).

Secondhand Smoke Health Effects

According to the American Heart Association, research has shown that children (especially young children) of parents who are smokers have more susceptibility to lung illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia, and have a greater likelihood of developing asthma (see Reference 1).

Smoking in Pregnant Women

Women who smoke while pregnant have babies that are at a higher risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies who are not exposed to cigarette smoke. Additionally, mothers who smoke while pregnant have babies whose lungs are weaker than other babies, which increases the risk of developing many health problems (see Reference 3).

Safe Levels of Secondhand Smoke

The Surgeon General has stated that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure for kids and stopping smoking indoors is the only way to fully protect children from the health risk associated with secondhand smoke (see Resource 3).

Kids Who Smoke

Of all adult smokers, nearly 90 percent of them started smoking as kids (see Reference 2). According to the Nemours Foundation, every day more than 4,400 kids become regular smokers (see Reference 2). Kids who smoke are much more likely to develop serious conditions from smoking as they age, including increases in heart rate and blood pressure, bronchitis, and emphysema (see Reference 2).

Source:

American Heart Association: Cigarette Smoking and Children

The Nemours Foundation: Kids and Smoking

CDC