30 Apr 2010
Picture a woman sitting in an enclosed room with her husband. If he smokes a pack of cigarettes each day for 55 years, her risk of getting lung cancer will be roughly six times higher than normal.
When a person smokes a cigarette, only about 15% of that smoke is actually inhaled by the smoker. The other 85% goes into the air, and then into the lungs of anyone who happens to be standing nearby. It is estimated that a non-smoker who spends two hours in a room where someone is smoking will inhale four cigarettes worth of smoke. That is one cigarette every half hour! This means that, even if you’re not the one smoking the cigarette but you’re standing in a smoke-filled room, you might as well be.
“We all know that cigarettes and second-hand smoke are dangerous. Most second-hand ‘smokers’ who get smoking-related diseases have lived in a haze for many years. But that does not mean second-hand smoke is safe in small amounts. Studies have shown that even breathing a little second-hand smoke consistently will have lasting effects and is harmful for everyone, especially for pregnant women and children”, said Dr Kenneth Chan, Senior Consultant, Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, SGH.
There are over 4,000 chemicals present in cigarette smoke. Of those, 40 are known to cause cancer and 200 are poisonous. What is little known is that second-hand smoke contains far more nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, ammonia and benzypyrene than the smoke that is actually being inhaled by the smoker.
In Singapore, 7 people die prematurely from smoking-related diseases each day, making it the leading cause of preventable deaths in the country. Most of the deaths are from cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and stroke. Second-hand smoke can also aggravate allergies, trigger asthma attacks and migraines, and increase vulnerability to colds and other respiratory infections.
Effects of Second-hand Smoke on Children
Children who breathe second-hand smoke are at increased risk of health problems such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, wheezing and coughing. Even after the smoke clears, toxins can be left behind as dust. Children and babies are more easily exposed to such dust on floors and toys. Studies also show that children of smokers are sick more often than those of non-smokers.
Babies born to mothers who were exposed to second-hand smoke during their pregnancy are also known to have more health problems than those whose mothers were not around second-hand smoke. These babies tend to have weaker lungs and lower birth weights. Also, babies of mothers who smoke before and after birth are at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby under one year of age.
Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is probably the single most important thing that a smoker can do for himself and his loved ones. Smokers who have trouble quitting can talk to their doctors on kicking the habit. With the help of nicotine replacement products or a prescription drug that eases cravings, a support group, and the physician, they should be able to overcome the addictive pull of nicotine. Taking the first step towards becoming smoke-free will allow them and their loved ones to be safer, healthier and to breathe much easier.
SGH Smoking Cessation Public Forum
To reach out and educate the public on how a smoke-free life can enhance one’s family life, the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) is organising a public forum entitled “Fabulous Family Life - Drop Your Smoking Habit Now” on Saturday, 22 May 2010 from 1.30pm to 5pm at SGH Block 6, Level 9, Outram Road, Singapore 169608.
Admission is free but pre-registration is required by 18 May 2010. Please call Ms Maimunah at 6321 4685 or email maimunah.mohd.tahir@sgh.com.sg or tay.swee.eng@sgh.com.sg.
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