World No Tobacco Day 2024: Harmful effects of passive smoking on the health of children and fetuses

Smoking poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of smokers and those around them, especially young children, as exposure to secondhand or passive smoke can have devastating consequences for babies and children, affecting their respiratory health and increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions. Ahead of World No Tobacco Day this Friday, May 31, 2024, health experts underline the vital importance of quitting smoking to protect your children’s health.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Tushar Parikh, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Kharadi, Pune, said, “Secondhand smoking has a huge impact on the overall health of children who live with or around smokers. Secondhand smoke is the smoke from cigarettes that a smoker exhales. It contains dangerous chemicals that can be especially harmful to children whose lungs are still developing. Even children whose parents only smoke outside are at risk, as the chemicals in secondhand smoke tend to linger for a long time. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke causes a variety of diseases and can even be life-threatening for young, vulnerable people. The best way to eliminate this exposure is to quit smoking altogether.”

He revealed the effects of smoking during pregnancy and foetal health –

1. Low birth weight babies, preterm births and stillbirths: Mothers exposed to secondhand smoking during pregnancy may have complications such as low birth weight babies, premature birth and stillbirth. Babies will be extremely weak and prone to chronic infections. Passive smoking can also affect the cognitive development and overall health of the child.
2. Growth Restriction in Infants: Smoking impairs blood flow to the placenta, reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients the fetus receives. This can impede the baby’s growth and delay development.
3. Respiratory problems: Exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, and other lung-related problems in children.
4. ear infections: Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of developing middle ear infections and related complications.

Dr. Tushar Parikh highlights the harmful effects of passive smoking on children’s health –

1. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke from their mother, father, or other family member are more likely to die from SIDS in the first year of life than babies who are not exposed to secondhand smoke.
2. Weak lungs: Children who are exposed to secondhand smoking may have weaker and more sensitive lungs, which can lead to breathing problems. These children may also have symptoms such as coughing, excessive phlegm, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Children whose parents smoke around them are at a higher risk of developing bronchitis and pneumonia.
3. Asthma and bronchospasm: Passive smoking triggers asthma attacks in children and increases the incidence of childhood asthma, a chronic condition that requires the use of inhalers. It can also cause bronchospasms, which limit airflow to the lungs.
4. Hyperactive airway disease: Passive smoking can lead to breathing problems like asthma without any official diagnosis, in which the bronchial tubes swell, making it difficult for the child to breathe.
5. Other health problems: Children exposed to secondhand smoke may also develop problems such as lung cancer, eye irritation, sore throat, heart disease, headache, ear infection and nasal irritation, which require timely treatment. Moreover, children may feel that smoking is acceptable and are more likely to take up the habit in the future if it is encouraged in their family.

Dr. Tushar Parikh concludes, “Quitting smoking and keeping the home smoke-free is imperative. Do not allow any relatives or visitors to smoke at home. If you have nannies, babysitters and daycare staff, make sure they do not smoke. If you are going out with your child, choose smoke-free restaurants; it is a good idea to avoid going to places that allow smoking. Educate your child about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke to improve their quality of life.”