This is why it’s absolutely crucial we keep kids away from cigarette smoke

Brought to you by HSE Quit.

Our little tots are most precious to us, but smoking, even “third-hand” smoke (THS) is extremely harmful to them, perhaps even more so than we might realise.

Third hand smoking refers to the sticky residue from tobacco that clings on to our home furnishings, the carpets our babas crawl on, and even the walls inside our home, lingering for weeks and months during which time chemical mutations can render them even more harmful. Evidence shows that this third hand smoke can be just as damaging as second hand smoke, even causing lower infant weight and affecting your baby's blood cells. According to a report in the Nature Journal Scientific Reports, researchers from the US and China tested the biological response of mice to THS in lab conditions designed to mimic the same kind of exposure in a smoker's home. "Small children are a particularly vulnerable population who are exposed to THS toxicants through inhalation, ingestion and dermal (skin-to-skin) contact," the report states. In mice, THS-exposure proved to both lower bodyweight and alter blood cell counts associated with inflammatory and allergic reactions. The report also said, "Our findings provide further evidence that THS exposure can have biological effects and supports non-smoking policies as the best way to protect non-smokers from the health effects of tobacco smoke exposure." But we absolutely can protect our little ones from the outset, and and we can start by making our home a totally smoke-free zone, and nipping the bad habit in the bud if we ourselves are smokers. Even before a baby is born, if mum is smoking, the amount of oxygen and nutrients that get to baby are greatly reduced, which can lead to low birth weight, damage to the development of the lungs, and greater risk of infections. If you’re a smoker, your baby is also up to three times more likely to die from cot death. When they’re born, and if a parent or carer is smoking around them, baby is also at a higher risk of developing meningitis and other infections, as cigarette smoke damages the lining of their nose and throat, allowing more bacteria to stick there. It can trigger asthma attacks, chest infections and an array of other health issues later on too. When we smoke, we inhale around 7000 chemicals including arsenic, ammonia, benzene, nicotine, tar an carbon monoxide – all of which can reach a baby’s bloodstream. Thankfully, if you or a partner is a smoker – you CAN quit. Yes, it’s difficult, but with the belief that you absolutely can do it (and yes, you can), plus some extra support and terrific tips from services like the HSE’s QUIT service, things are only looking up. They’ve a superb QUIT plan with daily emails and texts to help you succeed, plus great advice for coping with the stress associated with quitting. Best of all, it’s never too late to quit smoking AND it's entirely free! However, if something is stressing you during the time you're trying to quit, this can make quitting more difficult. Remember that smoking doesn't actually relieve stress. It actually increases your heart rate and blood pressure. When you're addicted to nicotine, the levels of the drug drop in your blood stream in between each cigarette, and so smoking can feel like it's helping with stress because your nicotine levels rise again with each cigarette you smoke. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) doubles your chances of success, so if you're trying to quit, consider using a patch in combination with nicotine gum to get through those cravings. For an even greater chance of succeeding, try NRT and the HSE's Quit support service. Smokers are four times as likely to quit using a combination of medication and support services compared to going cold turkey. Thankfully, there are loads of other helpful tips from Quit.ie which can be applied to any situation. These include tips like taking up a new hobby, going for longer walks or cycling (a perfect way to escape but also feel good mentally and physically) and taking the time to prioritise YOUR day and get the things you need to get done, done. Your day belongs to you, it's not anyone else's, so learning to say 'no' can be very useful. Ensure to stay away from things that tempt you back into a dangerous routine. When on holidays, don't buy cheaper packs of cigarettes for friends, get out of holding the lighter when a friend is about to have a cigarette and say 'no' to allowing others to tempt you, even if you're out on the town and in the smoking area with friends. Most importantly remember that you're on a roll and you're on the way to success, great health and keeping baby safe. Keep going mama! Brought to you by HSE Quit. Sign up to the Quit programme today, entirely for free! Freephone QUIT at 1800 201 203 or freetext QUIT to 50100.