Global Initiative To Protect Children From Secondhand Smoke

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 01 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Geneva, Switzerland, 4 February 2008. It's a staggering statistic: 700 million children - almost half of the world's children - breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke. People who smoke in confined spaces like the home or the car subject others to a dangerous mix of toxins including nicotine, carbon monoxide, and cyanide, even when the windows are open. Second-hand smoke exposes children to chronic health risks

- Increases a baby's risk of dying suddenly from unexplained cause
- Contributes to low birth weight in newborns and harms lung development
- Causes bronchitis and pneumonia in young adults
- Increases the risk of ear infections, asthma, coughing and wheezing among school-aged children

These health threats underscore the need for parents to protect the children from secondhand smoke. In the first global initiative of its kind, the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and members around the world will lead an initiative to promote smoke-free environments for children. "I love my smoke-free childhood" launches on World Cancer Day, 4 February, with these messages for parents:

- Avoid smoking at home or in a car
- Caution children to stay away from secondhand smoke and places that allow smoking
- Teach children there is no safe level of secondhand smoke
- Do not smoke while pregnant or near someone who is pregnant
- Use a smoke-free daycare center
- If you are a smoker, ask your doctor what you can do to stop
- Become a role model for your child - do not smoke

To back these messages, UICC is publishing a 40-page expert report, "Protecting our children against secondhand smoke". "I love my smoke-free childhood" is the first focus within the World Cancer Campaign, a five-year cancer-prevention effort launched on World Cancer Day 2007. The Campaign offers parents simple steps to share with children to prevent cancer later in life. (http://www.worldcancercampaign.org)

"Tobacco-related cancers lead the list of preventable deaths and hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by secondhand smoke. That's why this initiative is so important," says Isabel Mortara, UICC executive director.

In addition to targeting individuals, the UICC encourages decision makers to put cancer on the public agenda. A growing number of countries have passed 100% smoke-free legislation, banning smoking in all enclosed public places without exception. Ireland was the first country to do so in 2004 followed by the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Uruguay, Bermuda, Bhutan and Iran. Puerto Rico and several U.S. states and cities have also enacted such bans.

"Countries with 100% smoke-free laws should be commended for their legacy to healthier families. In these nations the percentage of children exposed to secondhand smoke has decreased over time," says Dr. Franco Cavalli, UICC president. "While this trend is encouraging, this approach alone will not protect children from secondhand smoke. That's why educating parents is so crucial."

On World Cancer Day, the UICC is launching a design competition for a logo signaling a "smoke-free" home or car. The competition is open to individuals, UICC members and creative agencies. The winning artwork will be announced on 5 May and awarded $5,000 US. For further details contact divino@uicc.org

The International Union Against Cancer: Founded in 1933, the UICC is the world's only truly global consortium of cancer-fighting organizations with nearly 300 members in more than 90 countries spanning Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. (http://www.uicc.org)

Protecting our children against secondhand smoke: This expert report, published for World Cancer Day, sets out the health consequences to children of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and makes detailed recommendations on safeguarding children in homes and cars, daycare and schools, and other public places. Authors include Dr. Jonathan Samet, senior scientific editor of the 2004 and 2006 U.S. Surgeon General's reports on smoking and health.

This summary is provided by the Cancer Media Service which is operated by The European School of Oncology.

http://www.cancerworld.org/mediaservice