Smoking in vehicles targeted

The Northwestern Health Unit wants to increase awareness about the dangers of second-hand smoke, especially for children travelling in vehicles.
In cars, smoke is concentrated in a smaller space. As a result, second-hand smoke can reach very high levels.

Smoking a single cigarette for only five minutes in a vehicle can create a level of second-hand smoke that’s similar to a smoky bar.
Opening a window or turning on the fan won’t make much difference. The cigarette smoke often will blow back into the car and can linger for hours.
Toxins in second-hand smoke cling to the fabric inside the vehicle and remain after someone has smoked.
There is no known safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Breathing even a little second-hand smoke can be harmful to your health, and is especially a problem for babies and children who breathe more quickly and take in more harmful chemicals for their size than do adults.
Children exposed to second-hand smoke have more frequent breathing problems, like coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis, and croup, and are more likely to develop asthma.
Second-hand smoke increases the number of ear infections in children and is known to be connected to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
“Make your car smoke-free,” said Barb Roussin, a health promoter for the Northwestern Health Unit. “Children, especially younger ones, rely on their parents to provide a safe and healthy environment.
“By making your home and car smoke-free, you can protect your children from harmful second-hand smoke,” she stressed.
The Northwestern Health Unit has a Smoke-free Home and Car kit available free at local health unit offices or by calling toll-free 1-888-404-4231.
Each kit contains information about making your home and car smoke-free, plus window decals for the car.