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I quit smoking because I love my kids
Most smokers are aware of the damage they are doing to their own health and to others through passive smoking. But, the damage children suffer due to second hand smoke more intense than what adults face.
Most smokers are aware of the damage they are doing to their own health and to others through passive smoking. But, the damage children suffer due to second hand smoke more intense than what adults face.
Infants exposed to second hand smoke have greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is recommended that parents who smoke should not share a bed with their babies aged under four months old. As they grow older, they have higher rates of lung or airway infections during their first two years of life.
A worrying new study reveals that smoking in front of children not only passes on the harmful effects of the smoke in the air, it can also get them curious about smoking and eventually get hooked to it. Kids who see others smoking are more likely to take up the habit because they perceive cigarettes as something really cool.
A recent study in US, says genes can influence whether someone will become a smoker. Not to forger nurture in our discussion of nature. Peer pressure, family, tobacco advertising and not to forget how cool our favourite hero looked with a cigarette in his hand in the last movie we saw all these factors add to children turning smokers.
Preventing smoking at a younger age is especially important because 88 per cent adult smokers admit to starting smoking by the time they were 18, according to heath officials. Everyday almost 4,000 teens under the age of 18 are trying their first cigarette and upto 1,000 kids per day are prone to become daily cigarette smokers revealed a study.
Some parents say that they disapprove of teenage smoking, but continue to smoke themselves. The evidence is clear from the study that if parents don't want their children to start smoking, it is important for them to stop or reduce their smoking.
The new prevention efforts for a healthy tomorrow’s generation must be tailored to children who are highly exposed to second hand smoke, ensuring they are aware of the risks. It is your turn now, as a parent to think twice before you smoke at home or in the car. (The writer is Paediatrician and Co-founder, Caremotto.com)
By Dr Niveditha Ravuri
