Dangerous Effects

With 4000 chemicals and 40 known to cause cancer, second-hand smoke is poisonous.  Exposure to second-hand smoke is particularly harmful to infants and children.  Unfortunately, close to one million children in Canada are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke. 

The impact of second-hand smoke on child health is substantial.  Children who breathe it are more likely to get colds, ear infections, bronchitis or pneumonia.  Smoking indoors triggers asthma symptoms and can cause asthma in children who previously showed no symptoms. Second-hand smoke is also responsible for increased doctor and hospital visits. 

Babies who breathe second-hand smoke have a greater chance of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death.  There is emerging evidence that second-hand smoke can negatively impact a child’s attention, behaviour and ability to reason and understand.

In the long-term, non-smokers can develop lung cancer and heart disease from exposure to second-hand smoke.