4 February 2008
ASH Scotland has endorsed this year’s World Cancer Day [Monday 4 February] supporting its campaign to reduce the harm to children and young people caused by exposure to second-hand smoke. The campaign is highlighting that around 700 million children - almost half of the world's children - breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, particularly at home. World Cancer Day is aiming to send a simple message to parents: "Second-hand smoke is a health hazard for you and your family. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Give your child a smoke-free childhood”. Commenting on the campaign, Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said:
“Preventing exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) at home should be a public health priority if we are to protect our children’s health from the dangers of tobacco. I commend World Cancer Day for highlighting the serious health risks associated with SHS exposure in children.
“Children and infants face the highest levels of exposure to SHS in their own homes. Their smaller airways, faster breathing rates and immature immune systems make them more vulnerable to SHS than adults and exposure to SHS in childhood is associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death), asthma, reduced lung function, middle ear disease, an increased risk of a range of respiratory symptoms, and a higher incidence of respiratory tract infections including bronchitis, bronchiolitis, croup, and pneumonia. In addition those brought up in a smoking home are more likely to smoke themselves causing health problems in later life.“Smoking in the home is not an area where we want to see legislation, but we want to see better communication, encouragement and support offered to people who want to protect their families by reducing second-hand smoke exposure. Research following Scotland becoming smoke-free shows that there is an increase in the proportion of homes with voluntary smoking restrictions – as also happened in Ireland following their smoke-free law (2). In addition, research has shown that there was a 39% reduction in the second-hand smoke exposure of 11 year olds following legislation (3).
“However thousands of children remain exposed to SHS in the home. We need to find innovative ways to inform people about the dangers of tobacco smoke and encourage smokers to stop smoking around children and young people. Support to stop smoking should be as easily accessible as cigarettes, and we need to find effective ways to support people who are motivated to stop smoking for example during pregnancy. One of the best ways to prevent children starting to smoke is to help their parents or carers to quit.”
Sheila Duffy is available for interview.
ENDS
For further information please contact Jeanette Campbell 0131 220 9466 / 07776 142299.
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