Clean Air For Kids Campaign Scores A Win, Canada

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 13 Feb 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The Lung Association praised the B.C. government for being the second province in Canada to announce that it will introduce legislation to ban smoking in cars where children are present. This marks the first "win" since the Association launched its national campaign to end smoking in cars with kids.

"This is a great day for all of us concerned about preserving the respiratory health of our children," said Nora Sobolov, President and CEO of The Lung Association, "I congratulate Premier Campbell's government on taking this decisive step and urge other provincial governments to do their part to deal with this public health priority".

"With this announcement, the provincial government is taking another positive step towards making B.C. the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host the Olympics," said Scott McDonald, Executive Director of the B.C. Lung Association, "The public health of our children is paramount - we must move forward on not only this issue but any issue that affects the respiratory health of our young people".

This announcement by the B.C. government builds on the actions taken by the Nova Scotia government on this issue - Nova Scotia was the first province to announce its intention to ban smoking in cars with kids.

Research shows that children exposed to second-hand smoke are at a higher risk for many health problems.

Children and babies who are exposed to second hand smoke on a regular basis are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, and ear infections. They are also more likely to develop cancer and heart disease as adults. Second-hand smoke can make symptoms worse for kids who have asthma or a respiratory infection. Additionally, there is growing evidence that kids who are exposed to second-hand smoke before and after birth have more behaviour problems, shorter attention spans, and lower marks at school than their peers who aren't exposed to smoke.

Children who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke have:

- Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS);
- More coughing and wheezing;
- Higher incidence of asthma;
- More ear infections;
- Reduced lung capacity;
- Double the risk of bronchitis, croup and pneumonia;
- Lower test scores in math, reading and logic;
- Higher risk for heart disease;
- More chances of taking up smoking themselves

Canadians are urged to visit http://www.cleanairforkids.ca and send a message directly to their provincial representative, Health Minister and Premier. The campaign will run until December 31, 2008.

Established in 1900, The Lung Association is one of Canada's oldest and most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for science-based information, research, education, support programs and advocacy on lung heath issues.

The Lung Association