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Wisconsin Kids Exposed to Secondhand Smoke
at Home
May 22, 2008
MADISON- Despite substantial progress in the past few years, hundreds
of thousands of Wisconsin kids are still regularly exposed to high
levels of secondhand smoke in their homes.
A report issued today by the UW
Comprehensive Cancer Center and co-presented by the University
of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI) conservatively
estimates that more than 211,000 children are exposed to tobacco
smoke in their homes on most days. The report was presented today
at the American Family Children's
Hospital.
"Kids at home often breathe secondhand smoke for longer periods
of time and at higher levels than adults do in workplaces or taverns.
They are also most vulnerable and get sicker from it," said
David Ahrens, lead author of the report, "Exposure to Secondhand
Smoke in Wisconsin Homes."
The study also found that, in the past five years, the prevalence
of smoking at home has decreased. Many more smokers now refrain
from smoking in their homes if children are present. Also, the number
of smokers is declining, as well as the number of cigarettes smoked.
Pediatricians and advocates for children are particularly concerned.
Kids who are exposed to secondhand smoke can develop asthma and
have severe reactions to allergies which are common to tobacco smoke.
Many cases of sudden infant death are also attributed to secondhand
smoke.
Just as parents and caregivers of small children take measures to
use safety gates for staircases or plugs for electrical outlets,
experts suggest smokers protect children and a dults by eliminating
carcinogenic smoke from their homes. This can be accomplished by
taking it outside or—better yet—quitting.
"There is no better time to quit smoking. The cost of smoking
has increased and there has never been greater availability of treatment.
Smokers can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW and receive free coaching and stop-smoking
medication to help them quit," said Lezli Redmond of UW-CTRI.
Estimates of exposure were conservatively based on surveys
of smokers and Wisconsin students over the past 10 years. |
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