Even if the number of smokers is falling significantly and many people avoid smoking indoors, the pollutants still remain. Whether in the breath, in the clothing or in the hair: smokers continue to carry the toxic particles and are therefore a risk for their fellow human beings. Children in particular can suffer from it.
The majority of people are aware that smoking is harmful to health. Those who nevertheless decide to use tobacco are in most cases prudent enough to move this activity outdoors.
Also be careful after smoking
But what many do not necessarily consider: both passive smoking and the toxins that remain after smoking are still harmful. Noisy Kindergesundheit-info.de Children whose organs are still growing suffer more frequently from the following diseases if they come from passive smoking households:
- a middle ear infection,
- cough and phlegm, shortness of breath, wheezing,
- pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases of the lower respiratory tract,
- Asthma (related very likely)
Risk of third-hand smoke
That German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) distinguishes between mainstream smoke (smoke inhaled directly when smoking) and sidestream smoke (produced when the cigarette is smoldering).
The smoke emitted in both ways contains the same polluting substances. Sidestream smoke contains some toxins in concentrations that are ten times higher and stick to skin, hair and clothing – so-called third-hand smoke.
The risk is of course particularly high for small children, as they like to be held by their parents and need physical closeness.
Measures that contribute to the health of children include:
- Avoid smoking in confined spaces (car), even with the window open,
- Keep windows and doors closed when smoking outside
- wear extra clothing for smoking outside, such as a jacket or hat that can be removed before going inside,
- start smoking cessation.
More on the subject:
⋙ Smoking: This cigarette is particularly dangerous for health
⋙ Covid-19: More young people have started smoking in lockdown
⋙ Addiction psychologist reveals: This tip is the best way to stop smoking