Environmental Health Center

EnvironMinute Health Scripts

Most parents would not allow their children to smoke. But many do allow their children to be exposed to secondhand smoke. See the similarities between the two on today's EnvironMinute. [:10]

Most parents would be outraged at the idea of forcing kids to smoke, but lots of parents unintentionally do just that. Infants who live with smokers continually breath in secondhand smoke. That smoke contains dozens of carcinogens and other hazardous substances. Children's small lungs are easily damaged. Babies who live with smokers are more prone to asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia than children of nonsmoking parents. If you smoke indoors or live with a smoker, protect your children. Open windows or use exhaust fans to ventilate your home. Better yet, don't smoke — and don't allow others to smoke when children are around. Everyone will breath a little easier. [:37]

The EnvironMinute is produced in cooperation with the National Safety Council and made possible by the Teresa and H. John Heinz III Foundation. [:10]

Finger Lakes Productions, Inc.