Key Messages: Banning Indoor Use of Tobacco

Exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke is harmful to health at all stages of life – from before birth into adulthood.
There are two dangerous forms of tobacco byproduct exposure for children.
- Secondhand smoke is the smoke or aerosol that comes from the end of a tobacco product and from exhalation by a tobacco user.
- Thirdhand smoke is the leftover residue that stays in a room or vehicle after a tobacco product has been used.
Both secondhand and thirdhand smoke contain toxins and chemicals – and they’re a leading cause of preventable death.
In addition to tobacco, cannabis smoke also produces toxic byproducts dangerous to children. All indoor air laws should apply to cannabis as well as tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Children linked to secondhand smoke exposure are at risk of breathing issues, tooth decay, pneumonia, developmental delays, heart issues, and other devastating health outcomes.
As a pediatrician, it pains me to see my patients deal with preventable health issues due to the inactions of others and policies that fails to protect them.
Like cigarettes, use of electronic nicotine delivery systems and cannabis are is NOT safe for use around children – devices like e-cigarettes still contain toxic and carcinogenic substances in addition to nicotine.
It is crucial that the indoor spaces in which kids live, learn, and play are kept free of tobacco and cannabis smoke, as well as e-cigarette byproducts.

07/18/2022

American Academy of Pediatrics