Tobacco Control and Smoking

Factsheets - Your Smoking can Harm your Kids

Fact Sheet 11: Your smoking can harm your kids

Smoking near babies and children exposes them to second-hand smoke (SHS) or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). SHS is the smoke exhaled by a smoker (called mainstream smoke) or emitted by the tip of a burning cigarette (called sidestream smoke). Breathing in SHS is known as passive smoking.¹

SHS 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 SHS, especially if the mother smokes during pregnancy.

Research has shown there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. For example, second-hand smoke increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 25-30 percent and the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers by 20-30 percent.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature delivery, miscarriage, low birth-weight 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

It has been estimated that 50 New Zealand babies die every year from SIDS as a result of exposure to second-hand smoke.⁴

In addition, children of parents who smoke are likely to have:

• more serious respiratory illnesses, such as croup, bronchitis and pneumonia¹
• more middle ear infections ¹
• reduced lung function ¹
• a greater risk of developing asthma ^5,6
• more asthma attacks ¹
• an increased risk of respiratory symptoms such as coughing, breathlessness, phlegm and wheezing ³
• a higher rate of meningococcal infections ⁷
• 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.

Want to quit smoking? The most important thing is to make a quit attempt. For help, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, quit smoking provider or call the Quitline on 0800 778 778 or visit The Quit Group web site at www.quit.org.nz