Secondhand Smoke Overview
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Secondhand smoke is a combination of the smoke in the air from a burning cigarette, cigar, or pipe and the smoke exhaled by a person who is smoking. Secondhand smoke has been designated as a known human carcinogen by the U.S. EPA, the National Toxicology Program, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It's the number one source of indoor air pollution, and it poses a health threat to the majority of Colorado residents. The 2006 Surgeon General report states that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.While secondhand smoke is toxic and poisonous, many people do not accept or understand this fact. Though many parents do not fully understand how harmful secondhand smoke is, most do understand that it can be dangerous. That's why most parents, including parents who smoke, take steps to try to protect their children from secondhand smoke. Unfortunately, these steps are often ineffective because of common myths about secondhand smoke that lead parents to believe they are protecting their children when, in fact, they are not.
The better you understand what parents are thinking, the easier it will be to motivate them to change. Understanding parents' mindsets regarding secondhand smoke is a key aspect of effectively communicating the steps that need to be taken to protect their children. When parents clearly understand what protects their children from secondhand smoke and what doesn't, they will become more likely to change any habit that may damage the health of their children.
As a healthcare provider, you can have an important role in communicating to parents that they need to step outside the home or the car when they smoke. By educating parents about this One Step, you can positively impact the health and futures of countless Colorado infants, children, teenagers and adults.
If you would like a free toolkit to help you, please visit www.steppitems.com and click on healthcare provider. This toolkit includes secondhand smoke facts, what parents believe about secondhand smoke, tips on how to speak to patients and free materials for your office, such as brochures, posters and videos.
