Second-hand Smoke and Children
Children are not excluded from the effects of second-hand smoke; exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome, miscarriage, and fetal growth impairments such as low-birth weight (AADAC, 2004). For example, the current mortality rate of Alberta-born babies ranged from 3.9 among non-smokers to 13.0 for heavy smokers and 11.1 for light smokers (Svenson, Schopflocher, & Tough, 1999). In addition, it is estimated that Albertans who smoke during pregnancy have a two or three times higher risk of their infant dying of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
In Alberta in 2005, 8% of children and 15% of youth were regularly exposed to second-hand smoke at home (AADAC, 2006). Children of parents who smoke are considered "passive" smokers and are subject to health risks. Because they breathe at a faster rate than adults, they take in more air and therefore more pollutants. Children of smoking parents inhale the same amount of nicotine as if they personally smoked 60 to 150 cigarettes a year.
