Exposure of Children to Second Hand Smoking - Case Study Example

 Most people understand the adverse effects of smoking, especially the increased risk of lung cancer and heart attack, but still they repeatedly need some extra incentive to curb smoking. Understanding the consequences of second hand smoking to children may help us give up smoking. Fortunately, majority of mothers understand the deleterious effects of smoking on pregnant women and their unborn children. These effects can include having a relatively small or underweight babies and having babies with abnormal lung functioning.

Mothers who smoke are also more likely to give birth to premature babies and to babies with cognition, behavior, intelligence, and attention disorders (Anderson, 2005, p. 8). Although they might stop smoking during pregnancy, many of the mothers resume smoking after they deliver their babies. This postnatal exposure is, however, can harm children. Living with smokers, even if they smoke away from home, can increase a child’s chances to have ear infections, allergies, asthma, pneumonia, wheezing, and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (Agency, 1999, p. 21). Infants who are exposed to smoking caregivers or mothers who smoked during pregnancy are up to four times more likely to pass away of Sudden Infants Death Syndrome (SIDS), as environmental health practitioners researches assert.

Parents and children care givers ought to improve their own and their children’s health by getting some assistance quitting smoking. Clinical and psychological counseling can play a notable impact in changing their lifestyles to salvage these innocent exposed angels (Bernhard, 2011). Although environmental health acts, for instance, The Maryland’s Clean Indoor Air Act 2007, was set to control public smoking and children’s right for healthy upbringing, more measures need to be implemented.

This is because of lack of effective law coverage in this field. For instance, many mothers and caretakers smoke in their homes in the presence of their children without their knowledge. Therefore, a behavioral change and awareness counseling therapy can be more effectual in saving the children threatened. These laws are tremendously beneficial but they need amendments to be stiffer on the offenders (Owing, 2005, p. 34). An article “Kids and Second Hand Smoke: Some Reasons to Quit Smoking?” by Vincent Iannelli suggests that smokers need extra reason to stop smoking.

Vincent urges parents to remember that children born by smokers are more likely to be tempted to smoke themselves when they become older since it is normal for them to learn from their parents. The article has been vital for its readers and, therefore, reviewed and approved by the United States Medical Review Board as a significant hand out to pregnant and postnatal mothers. The author goes further to plead that if mothers cannot quit for themselves, it is wise to quit for their kids. If they cannot quit, they should at least avoid smoking inside their homes, cars, or other places where their children will be openly exposed to the cigarette smoke.

It should be remembered, however, that this does not totally protect children from the harm caused by second hand smoking (Iannelli, 2010, p. 3).ReferencesAgency, U. S. (1999). Secondhand Smoke and Children: Conducting Public Outreach Programs. New York: United States. Environmental Protection Agency.Anderson, J. (2005). Smoking. New york: Black Rabbit Books.Bernhard, D. (2011). Cigarette Smoke Toxicity. New York: John Wiley & Sons.Iannelli, V. (2010). Kids and Second Hand Smoke: Some Reasons to Quit Smoking?

Environmental Health Padeatrics, 3.Owing, J. H. (2005). Focus on Smoking And Health Research. New york: Nova Publishers.