Kids Need Clean Air

The Kids Need Clean Air campaign seeks to raise awareness about the effects of secondhand smoke, and create tobacco-free spaces in our communities. If you would like a “Kids Need Clean Air” static window decal for your home, car, or workplace, please contact Healthy Acadia at 288-5331 or email doug@healthyacadia.org

What is Secondhand Smoke?

Secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is the toxic waste created by tobacco smoke from the burning end of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, and the exhaled smoke from smokers.

Secondhand smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, 200 poisons, and 63 known cancer-causing agents. According to the World Health Organization, there are no safe levels of exposure to ETS.

Children are especially sensitive to the risks of ETS because children’s lungs are still growing and their smaller body size receives higher concentrations of the poisons. Children exposed to ETS have: more colds, coughs, sore throats, asthma, and ear infections; lower reading and reasoning ability; increased risk of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); increased risk of developing diabetes and obesity.

In a recent survey of kids in Hancock County, 62% had been exposed to ETS during the past week. Across the country, and estimated 15 million American children (43%) are exposed to ETS every day by a member of their family who smokes.