Smoke Free Ontario logo
 


Second-Hand Smoke

What is Second-Hand Smoke?

  • The smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar
  • The smoke breathed out by a smoker
  • Tobacco smoke lingers on clothes and other surfaces even after a cigarette, pipe or cigar has been put out
  • This lingering tobacco smoke has recently been called third-hand smoke4

Why Second-hand Smoke is Dangerous to Health

  • No amount of second-hand smoke is safe. 1
  • Second-hand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals. More than 50 of these chemicals are known or suspected to cause cancer. 1
  • Second-hand smoke causes lung cancer and heart disease in adults. 1
  • Second-hand smoke spreads through all rooms of a building, harming the health of everyone exposed. 1
Making your home or car 100% smoke-free is the only way to avoid the harmful effects of second-hand smoke (SHS)

How Second-hand Smoke Harms Children

  • Children are especially at risk to the health dangers of second-hand smoke.
  • Second-hand smoke (SHS) is more harmful for children because their lungs are smaller and they breathe more rapidly than adults. 3
  • Children exposed to SHS are more likely to develop asthma 3, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. 1
  • Babies who regularly breathe second-hand smoke have a greater chance of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (also known as ‘crib death’). 1
  • Exposure to second-hand smoke is a serious health risk for growing children. Studies show SHS has negative effect on how well children pay attention, think and behave. 3
Protecting Children from Second-hand Smoke
  • Children can’t avoid second-hand smoke by themselves.
  • It's our responsibility — as parents, caregivers and child care providers — to protect children from exposure by keeping their indoor and outdoor environments smoke-free.
Smoking in Child Care Centres

Smoking with Children in the Car

  • Since January 21, 2009, smoking inside a vehicle with a child under the age of sixteen has been against the law.
  • It doesn’t matter if the vehicle is parked or moving, or whether a door, window or sunroof is open.
  • Both drivers and passengers could be charged for smoking while someone under sixteen years old is present in the vehicle.
  • Why is this important?
    • Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of SHS
    • SHS can reach very high levels in vehicles because of the small enclosed space
    • Opening a window, using a fan or ventilation system doesn’t eliminate second-hand smoke exposure
    • Children are not able to control their exposure to SHS. It is important that parents, care givers and child care providers protect them from exposure to SHS
Please visit the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion or Campaign for a Smoke-Free Ride for more information about this new legislation.

More about Second-hand Smoke

  • Call us at 905-799-7700 (toll-free from Caledon at 905-584-2216) for more information about the health effects of smoking, second-hand smoke and how to create smoke-free spaces.

Free Help to Quit Smoking

Ready to quit smoking? We offer free support and counselling.

Call us at 905-799-7700 for more information or to book an appointment

Or read more about the Peel Health Quit Smoking Program.

References

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Home • Quit smoking • Newsroom • Disclaimer • Contact us