What is secondhand smoke? Secondhand smoke is the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar combined with the smoke breathed out by the smoker. You can be exposed to secondhand smoke anytime a person smokes near you.
How secondhand smoke affects babies and children especially those born with low weight?
Why does birth weight matter?
Low-birth-weight babies are more likely to have serious health problems. They are also more likely to have long-term disabilities, such as problems seeing or hearing.
Studies have shown that babies born to mothers who were exposed to secondhand smoke during their pregnancy, have more health problems than babies whose moms were not around secondhand smoke. These babies tend to have weaker lungs and lower birth weights.
The major health problems seen in infant exposed to secondhand smoke are:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Ear infections
- Coughing
Nevertheless, secondhand smoke exposure can make some chronic health problems worse. For instance, second smoke can cause children who already have asthma to have more frequent and severe attacks. Take care of yourself and your children by quitting smoking today!
