After the smoke clears
Particles created by burning tobacco stay on the wardrobe, on the surfaces of furniture, curtains, carpets, in vehicles etc. for a long time. These particles mix easily and quickly with other contaminants indoors and create a very harmful mixture.
Exposure to tobacco products in this way is practically inevitable - harmful substances are introduced by simply touching the contaminated surfaces, as well as by inhaling the air in the rooms where the deposition occurred.
Cigarette butts are a special problem - in addition to being one of the biggest environmental polluters, they are a serious immediate threat to human health. Because, a significant percentage of nicotine and other harmful substances is retained in filters, and they can be released even a few days after extinguishing a cigarette.
Babies and young children are at particular risk:
- they are unable to avoid any kind of exposure
- they stay indoors longer
- they tend to touch everything and put it in their mouths
In addition, the number of breaths per minute is higher in children than in adults, so the amount of harmful substances ingested is higher, and the health impact is more drastic!
Scientists are still studying the harms associated with this type of tobacco exposure. While waiting for new knowledge, the only reliable solution is to choose tobacco-free environments for yourself and your little ones, as well as to create them!
- Ban smoking completely in spaces where you are "in charge", in your home and car!
- If you decide nevertheless to allow smoking in your and your child's living space (which we definitely do NOT recommend!):
- Try to designate a dedicated, physically separate room for that - one in which your child never stays!
- Empty the ashtrays regularly!
- Regularly clean all available surfaces and wash clothes!
- Frequently ventilate the space where you and your baby are staying!
- To go out with children, choose restaurants, cafés and playrooms where smoking is completely banned!
