First-Hand Look At Impact Of Second-hand Smoke

Friday, January 25, 2008 03:55 PM

Information about the effects of second-hand smoke was available at the display. (Opinion 250 photo)

Prince George, B.C. - The Clean Air Coalition, The Canadian Cancer Society, and the Northern Health Authority, are hosting a "Smoking in Vehicles with Children Display" until 9pm this evening at Pine Centre Mall. The display, which is part of the National Non-Smoking week, includes a car with a fog machine inside to simulate smoking in vehicles.

The display is meant to inform people about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke in a vehicle, especially with children in it. Through the distribution of information regarding the hazards of second-hand smoke, the goal is to bring about social change, such as bylaws to permit smoking in a vehicle with children under 19 in it. Currently, the only place with such a bylaw is Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The display is aiming to catch the attention of any adults who smoke, and smoke in a vehicle with their children. The organizers are also hoping to attract teenagers, since many people who smoke started in their teens.

"Second-hand smoke is a huge initiative...We have a lot more knowledge now then we did 10 years ago about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke on children, especially in a confined space such as a vehicle." Says Denys Smith, Tobacco Reduction Coordinator with Northern Health, "The second hand smoke in a vehicle is actually more condensed then a smoky bar."

According to Health Canada, second-hand smoke contains 50 known carcinogenic chemicals. Children are particularly susceptible to second-hand smoke illnesses because their lungs are still developing, and because they breathe faster, therefore take in more fumes. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer from chronic coughing, bronchitis, pneumonia, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, asthma, and an increased chance of learning and behavior difficulties.

Photo below simulates the effects of second-hand smoke in a confined space

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Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 03:55 PM in Health by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Jim13135 on January 25 2008 4:08 PM

just gotta love that picture...brings back memories of Cheech and Chong movies. Now if that 'simulates' smoking in a car I'll be hornswaggled!!!

Posted by: Harbinger on January 25 2008 4:15 PM

Is that just one person exhaling? Wow!!! Mega-lungs!!

Posted by: Andyfreeze on January 25 2008 4:19 PM

Just a bit of overkill there, but I think we get the point!

Posted by: bobd on January 25 2008 10:50 PM

I was part of the group that put on the display. The fog machine kinda got away from us just as that picture was snapped. I like though.

Bob

Posted by: heidi1555 on January 26 2008 9:50 AM

Yes I like it too! Very good message being sent. You could look at it this way.....this is all the smoke your child is inhaling within a months time maybe????

:)

Posted by: dime9 on January 28 2008 7:50 AM

Don't be fooled. Give me 3 names of people who have been harmed by second hand smoke.
I don't smoke, first hand smoke is known to be a killer, but I refuse to be manipulated by people who make their living by disseminating false information.
That is a stupid display, it means nothing and is not based in any kind of real world scenario.
"Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer from chronic coughing, bronchitis, pneumonia, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, asthma, and an increased chance of learning and behavior difficulties."
Show me the study. Second hand smoke causes SIDS? How? That's a joke.