Passive Smoking
Whether you or the people around you smoke, exposure to smoke increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies. Additionally, children exposed to smoking are more susceptible to coughing, ear inflammation, asthma, bronchitis, and lung inflammation. Exposure to smoking also increases the risk of developing lung cancer and heart disease later in life. Therefore, it is essential to protect children from inhaling smoke or being exposed to smoking materials.
Maintaining a smoke-free environment
If you smoke, you surely wouldn't want your children to endure the consequences. Here are several methods to maintain air cleanliness:
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1Avoid smoking around children
Do not allow smoking of cigarettes or any other substitutes (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, narghile, etc.) around your children. This applies to anyone taking care of children or being with them, including grandparents, neighbors, nannies, and babysitters.
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2Avoid smoking around the house
Smoke and its residue can linger in the room for long hours, permeating through open spaces, cracks, windows, and even under the door. Even if you smoke in areas like the terrace, bathroom, or stairwell, it can still result in smoke exposure to children. Opening the window or using air fresheners cannot prevent the smoke from permeating. Therefore, it is essential to avoid smoking all around the house.
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3Do not stay in places where people smoke
When you are out with the children, keep away from areas where people smoke, such as bus stops, near daycare entrances, or in the neighborhood playground. You can politely ask people not to smoke in these areas, as the law supports such requests.
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4Change your clothes
If someone smokes in the house, it is important to change your clothes before getting close to children, as smoking materials release toxic chemicals that can be absorbed into clothes.
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5Do not smoke in the car
You should also avoid smoking in the family car, as smoking materials can be absorbed into the car seat covers.
Perhaps this is an opportunity. When we become parents, everything changes, including ourselves. What once held importance undergoes a change. If you or anyone else in the household is considering quitting smoking and embracing a healthier lifestyle, there are numerous methods to help make that change.
A good place to start is the Ministry of Health’s call center for smoking cessation at *6800.
You can also contact smoking cessation workshops provided by the HMOs, which are free of charge.
Want to quit smoking?
Find out more on the program for quitting smoking, on Kol Habriut website (Hebrew)
