The impact of smoking on others

Most smokers are aware that their smoke drifts around, and that other people breathe it in. If you smoke at home, in the car or at work, then whenever others are with you, they are breathing in your cigarette smoke.

This is what we call passive smoking.

Over the past decade, there have been numerous research reports that have found that passive smoking is linked to a number of illnesses.

The people who are most likely to be affected by other's tobacco smoke are those who spend the most time with them. That means they are probably the people you love most.

Children and passive smoking

If you smoke around children, they are more likely to get

bronchitis and other respiratory diseases 
pneunomia 
coughing and wheezing 
middle ear infections 
asthma

Smokers' children who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to have asthma, have more serious asthma attacks, and recover more slowly when they happen.

There is also research suggesting that in some children, passive smoking may play a part in learning and language difficulties, and behavioural problems.

Research is also looking at the real possibility that children exposed to passive smoking may be at risk of developing heart disease and even breast cancer as adults.

Quit now, and protect those you love