Don't Let Children Breathe Your Smoke
- Graphic Health Warnings - Posters
- Printable version of Don't let Children Breathe Your Smoke fact sheet (PDF 49KB)
- Graphic Health Warnings Factsheets - Cigarette Packs Set A
- Cigar smoking also toxic to children.
Front of Cigarette Pack (representation only) | Back of Cigarette Pack (representation only) |
ETS is a combination of poisonous gases, liquids and breathable particles that are harmful to health, particularly that of children. Even before it is born, a developing baby can be affected by ETS, especially if the mother smokes during pregnancy. This increases the risk of miscarriage, low birthweight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 1 Babies of smoking mothers are two to four times more likely to die from SIDS. 2,3 This risk increases the more you smoke. 3
In addition, children of parents who smoke are likely to have:
- more serious respiratory illnesses, such as croup, bronchitis and pneumonia 1
- more middle ear infections 1
- reduced lung function 1
- a greater risk of developing asthma 4,5
- more asthma attacks 1
- an increased risk of respiratory symptoms such as coughing, breathlessness, phlegm and wheezing 3
- a higher rate of meningococcal infections 6
- more school absences. 1
Giving up cigarettes is one of the best things you can do for your children's health and wellbeing. If you do smoke, make sure you do not smoke near your children or inside your home or car.
Decided to quit smoking? For help, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or call the Quitline on 131 848 or visit the Quitline web site at www.quitnow.info.au .
- Fact sheet: The dangers of passive smoking. Department of Health and Ageing.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: what it means to you . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2004/index.htm - British Medical Association. Smoking and reproductive life: The impact of smoking on sexual, reproductive and child health . Board of Science and Education and Tobacco Control Resource Centre, February 2004.
- National Health and Medical Research Council. The health effects of passive smoking : A scientific information paper, November 1997, Canberra, Australian Government Publishing Service.
- Heart Foundation. Cigarette Smoking information sheet, 2002.
- Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Australian General Practice . 2004 Edition.
- AIHW: Ridolfo and Stevenson (2001). The quantification of drug-caused mortality and morbidity in Australia, 1998 . AIHW cat. No. PHE 29. Canberra, AIHW. http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/phe/qdcmma98/
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For copyright permission to use any of these images, please contact quitnow@health.gov.au
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Smoking and your body
Tobacco use reduces not only your life expectancy but your quality of life. Many medical conditions caused by smoking can result not just in death, but in living for years with disabling health problems.
Quitters help
Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding things a person can do. Most smokers' say they would like to quit, and may have tried at least once. Some are successful the first time, but many other people try a number of times before they finally give up for good.
Health care professionals
Practical information on smoking cessation and effective strategies that general practitioners and other practice staff can apply to identify smokers and assist them to stop smoking.
Parents and smoking
Smoking causes many harms to your body but also to those around you that are younger. How does your smoking affect the ones you care for?