What is a smoke-free home?

A smoke-free home is a residence where no smoking is allowed inside anytime by anyone. A smoke-free home is one where people are asked not to smoke while visiting.

Smoke-Free Places for Kids is a public awareness campaign to increase public awareness about the effects of second-hand smoke on children and  to encourage people to declare their home smoke-free. This campaign is sponsored by the Vancouver Island Health Authority and the Tobacco Control Office.

Smoke-Free Places for Kids material is available at health units upon request:

• Window decals for your vehicle or home
• Fridge magnets which can serve as a picture frame

Why target smoking in the home and vehicle?

• Smoke is a major source of indoor air pollution.
• Second-hand smoke is a mix of more than 4,000 chemicals (like arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde). Over fifty of these are known to cause health problems.
• Many of the most dangerous chemicals in second-hand smoke are invisible to the naked eye.
• Second-hand smoke particles are absorbed into surfaces like walls, curtains, and clothes which later release carcinogens, toxins and odours.

How does second-hand smoke affect children?

Children are especially vulnerable to second-hand smoke. With their small lungs, they breathe in more second-hand smoke per body weight than that of adults. Their immune systems are less protective than adults and they are less likely to complain about tobacco smoke or be able to remove themselves from the smoke.

Health Effects

• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Asthma
• Ear infections
• Coughs
• Increased need for removal of tonsils and adenoids.
• Increased need for tube insertions for ear infections.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) 

For more details, see the World Health Organization