FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (EASTON-MAY 16, 2007)
Protecting Talbot County Children From Secondhand Smoke
A local mother of two boys recalls asking her parents not to smoke inside her house once her children were born. Once the parents had taken this step, they then also agreed not to smoke in their own home or car when the grandchildren visited. Eventually, to the whole family's delight, the parents quit smoking and remain nonsmokers to this day.
There is no doubt today that secondhand smoke is dangerous for everyone, particularly for children whose bodies are developing. Some of the health risks of secondhand smoke for children include more asthma attacks, sinus and ear infections, allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia, and croup. Babies whose caregivers or parents smoke are seven times more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and overall, children raised in homes with smokers have up to twice the risk of getting lung cancer when they become adults. A recent report by the Surgeon General concluded that nearly half of the nonsmokers in the U.S. today are still being exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control.
Jane McConnell, Cigarette Restitution Fund Coordinator with Talbot County Health Department, comments, "It's hard to believe with all of the data we have about the ill effects of smoking that some people still don't believe that secondhand smoke is harmful." She adds, "The more we can do to educate people, the better chance we have of getting them not to smoke around others and even to eventually quit the habit."
In Talbot County, the effects of secondhand smoke have been greatly diminished on the county sports fields where youth play due to the efforts of Alan Gregg, a former youth coach, local contractor, and past board member of Talbot Partnership. Gregg notes, "We have made great strides on the sports fields in the county in regard to secondhand smoke. Today, parents and friends of the youth playing games on these fields are much more considerate about not smoking around our children. Many of the signs we erected about not smoking on these fields are still up and serve as gentle reminders to spectators not to smoke. I'm glad we continue to raise awareness about this important health issue."
With the passage of legislation during this year's Maryland General Assembly to ban smoking in all indoor public places in Maryland as of February 2008, there are now more protections for our children against secondhand smoke inside public places. But what do you do to protect your children when they are around friends and family members who smoke?
Talbot Partnership encourages you to minimize your children's exposure to secondhand smoke at home or in your car, by asking family members and friends not to smoke when your children are with you. If you are gentle with your requests, most people will honor them. Here are some suggestions for when you are away from home:
- Make sure your child's daycare is smoke-free.
- When at other people's homes, you can ask that they not smoke around your children or invite them to your house instead.
- When dining outside Talbot County, choose smoke-free restaurants. Choose family activities where your children won't be exposed to smoke.
The bottom line is that being a good citizen involves paying attention to the health of those around you. For further tips on how to protect you and your family from secondhand smoke, call Talbot Partnership at 410-819-8067 or visit tobaccofreekids.org .
