Statistics show that about 5,000 adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of second hand smoke. Second hand smoke has been scientifically proven to cause nasal cancer, cervix cancer, breast cancer and even cancer of the bladder. Second hand smoke is also responsible for increasing everyone’s risk of heart disease.

It is a well known fact that second hand smoke is a major cause of children's illness. As children develop their lungs and increase breathing rates, their environment could easily affect them in a negative way. Their risk of negative health effects from second hand smoking is at a higher risk than the average adult. Follow these tips to prevent children from suffering the consequences of second hand smoke;

1) If you must smoke, it is highly important to stay away from children while you do it.

2) Do not ever smoke in your home. It is much better to smoke outside.

3) Do not ever smoke in your car when your children are riding with you.

4) Make sure that babysitters do not smoke inside or around the child.

For teenagers under the age of 18, second hand smoke has been linked with pneumonia, lower respiratory infections, upper respiratory irritation, and increased severity of asthma and asthmatic symptoms. It has been associated with sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections also know as colds and sore throats, cancer, and leukemia. A study recently released in Japan suggests that second hand smoke may affect children’s gums. 80% of the children exposed to second hand smoke, had developed a brownish and even black pigmentation of their gums.

Just keep in mind that every time you light a cigarette, you are affecting everyone around you, including loved ones.