An article I wrote for the newspaper in July has finally been printed today (see above or below)! It is part of an effort alongside United Way to educate the community about the health hazards of secondhand smoke, especially for children.

I believe Puerto Rico is one of only a few places in the US that disallows smoking in cars with children! Definitely ahead of the curve. Puerto Rico went smoke free in all bars and restaurants around the same time that Colorado did (July 2006) and they were smart to include casinos right away, unlike Colorado that had to wait until last January.  

Did you know that one in five children in the United States is exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis? This is staggering because tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure are the leading causes of preventable death and disease. The majority of Colorado residents know secondhand smoke is harmful, but many smokers continue to smoke in their homes and cars, exposing children to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand tobacco smoke is a mixture of more than 4,000 chemical compounds. More than 60 of these are known to cause cancer. It is a Group A carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) like radon or asbestos. Secondhand smoke comes from both the smoke exhaled and burning from the end of a cigarette.

Exposure to secondhand smoke has been associated with an increase or worsening of many conditions. These include chronic coughing, wheezing, chest discomfort, severe respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, eye and nose irritation, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and low birth weight for babies of women who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy.

Why It’s Even Worse for Children Than Adults.

Because children are growing, they breathe more air than adults per pound of weight. In a smoke-filled room or car, children absorb greater doses of smoke than adults do. The breathing zones of children are also closer to the floor, where heavier chemicals tend to accumulate. These chemicals and pollutants accumulate in carpets, fabrics, and walls. Children eat, play, crawl, sit and sleep on these very surfaces.

So what can be done to protect kids from the harms of tobacco? By following these 10 guidelines, parents, caregivers and family members can protect children from tobacco:

1. Quit tobacco. This is the best thing someone can do for his or her health and the health of loved ones. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free nicotine patches and coaching. This is especially important if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Never smoke in an automobile used to transport children, even when they are not present.
3. Smoke outside only, away from vents, doors and windows.
4. Use a “smoking jacket” that is kept outside. Don’t wear clothing you smoke in around children-chemicals are absorbed into fabrics!
5. Wash your hands and face after smoking.
6. Get rid of any used cigarettes lying on the ground where children play.
7. Dispose of cigarette butts or chew cans in a safe place away from children.
8. Never let anyone smoke near your child.
9. Tell friends and family members about the dangers of secondhand smoke to protect all children.
10. Talk to your children early and often about not using tobacco.

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