Thursday, August 21, 2008

Shelia Lewis: Smith County Extension

Posted on Thursday, March 13, 2008

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Secondhand Smoke Harms Loved Ones

Shelia Lewis

Did you know that if you smoke around others, especially children, you are being selfish? Think about how smoking harms the people you care about.

Don't be selfish.

Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes off of your cigarette or other tobacco product. This smoke can make you and your children sick - really sick.

Did you know that children who live in homes where people smoke get sick more often with coughs, breathing problems such as asthma, and ear infections?

Don't be selfish.

Secondhand smoke is also bad for adults. It can cause lung cancer, and it is also bad for the heart. It can even cause death. If you are a husband who smokes, think about your wife. Your smoking is causing harm to her.

Don't be selfish.

Protect your family. Make your home and car smoke-free. Take your smoking outside and away from your loved ones. Poisons from smoke linger in the air for up to seven days.

When you smoke inside the house or in your vehicle, you are exposing people to dangerous poisons even if they are not present while you are smoking.

Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. Take your first step by taking your smoke outside and away from your loved ones.

By making a smoke-free home and vehicle, you are showing your loved ones that you are not selfish. You are showing them that you care for them. By making a smoke-fee home, you are making their health better.

For more information on how to quit smoking, contact either the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or 1-800-ACS-2345, or the National Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov or 1-877-44U-QUIT.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Cancer Council encourage you to not be selfish. Put your cigarette or cigar out or at least outside. For more information on the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, contact the Smith County Extension office at (903) 590-2980 and inquire about their Put It Outside for Healthier Kids program.

Shelia Lewis is a Smith County Extension agent in family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at sk-lewis@tamu.edu. This column on family and consumer education news appears in the Thursday Community section of the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

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