News Release                           For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                   December 27, 2007

Make Vehicles Smoke-Free to Protect Young Passengers

Health Units across Ontario are urging drivers and adult passengers to keep their vehicles smoke-free when heading out on the road this winter.  A province-wide campaign running through January encourages those who smoke to take it outside and away from children.

"Children are among the most vulnerable to the damaging health effects of second-hand smoke,” says Linda Davies, Tobacco Control Manager, Grey Bruce Health Unit. “There is international scientific consensus that exposure to tobacco smoke puts youth at a greater risk of developing bronchitis, pneumonia, colds, ear infections and asthma. Infants exposed to second-hand smoke have an increased chance of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.”

According to Health Canada, second-hand smoke kills more than 1,000 Canadians every year. The latest Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey results show that one quarter of Canadians are being exposed to second-hand smoke in vehicles.

In 2004, the Ontario Medical Association cited evidence that, due to the restricted space, second-hand smoke in a vehicle is up to 23 times more toxic than in the home. Second-hand smoke affects infants and children more severely than adults due to their small airways and their higher respiration rates.

“Children can’t choose who they travel with or how safe the trip will be,” says Davies. “So we are asking parents, caregivers or any adults traveling with children to protect them by keeping vehicles smoke free. All passengers, especially young children, have the right to be protected.”

Opening vehicle windows does not diminish the risk. The only way to protect children from the negative health effects of second-hand smoke is to make vehicles smoke-free.

“We know that parents want to keep their children safe,” says Davies. “Those that continue to smoke around their children may be unaware of the risks or may be unable to quit because of a heavy nicotine addiction. We are campaigning to raise awareness of these risks, so that smokers can make an informed decision to protect children.”

For more information about protecting children and others from second-hand smoke and tips to help you break the nicotine addiction, please call the Grey Bruce Health Unit’s Tobacco Control Team at 519-376-9420 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

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Attachments: Fact Sheet- Smoke-Free Cars

For more information:
Linda Davies,
Tobacco Control Manager,
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 410