Second-hand smoke spreads from one room to another even if the door of the smoking area is closed.

If the door to this «smoking room» is closed, second-hand smoke will spread to the rest of the house through the gaps below doors, plumbing and electrical openings as well as conducts for heating and ventilation. The only way to protect children and people around from second-hand smoke is to light up outside, making sure that the smoke can not get in through an opening, especially in summer through open windows. If there is a possibility that smoke will infiltrate the inside, smokers should move away from the house to smoke.

* Reference : Health Canada (2008). Myth or reality? (adaptation)

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THE TRUTH

You may think that by opening a window or turning on a kitchen hood or a fan you are clearing the smoke from a room or your car, but that is not the case.

Unfortunately, extensive studies have shown that there is no level of ventilation that will eliminate the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Even with a commercial ventilation system, it would take more than an estimated 10,000 air changes per hour to reach an acceptable level of risk?the equivalent of a tornado!

In addition, opening a car or room window can result in airflow back into the room or car which may cause the smoke to be blown directly back at non-smokers.

* Reference : Health Canada (2008). Myth or reality? (adaptation)

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THE TRUTH

Air fresheners only mask the smell of the smoke and do not reduce the harm in any way. The sad truth is that even air filters (air purifiers) are not enough.

Second-hand smoke is composed of both particles and gases. Most air filters are designed to reduce fine smoke particles in the air, but they do not remove the gases. This means that many of the cancer-causing agents in the gases remain and can reach children and harm their health.

* Reference : Health Canada (2008). Myth or reality? (adaptation)

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THE TRUTH

Nicotine found in the blood of a pregnant woman who smokes or is exposed to second-hand smoke can cross the placental barrier and decrease the blood flow to her unborn baby.

Nicotine can affect her baby's heart, lungs, digestive system and even central nervous system. Carbon monoxide contained in cigarette smoke can affect her baby's growth and may lead to low birth weight.

* Reference : Health Canada (2008). Myth or reality? (adaptation)

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THE TRUTH

Second-hand smoke is hazardous to the health of everyone, but it is particularly harmful to the health of young children.

They breathe faster than adults, and therefore inhale more dangerous chemical substances and are particularly vulnerable to second-hand smoke.

Babies who breathe in second-hand smoke have a higher risk of dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or crib death. Babies and children exposed to second-hand smoke more often have lower respiratory tract problems, such as coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis and croup. They are also more likely to develop asthma, and they will suffer more from it than children of non-smokers who have it. Also, second-hand smoke increases the number of ear infections.

* Reference : Health Canada (2008). Myth or reality? (adaptation)

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THE TRUTH

Many parents think that it's all right to smoke when their children aren't around.

What the may not know is that second-hand smoke lingers a long time in the air after they finish a cigarette and can still affect their children's health.

* Reference : Health Canada (2008). Myth or reality? (adaptation)

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