Canadians urged to visit
cleanairforkids.ca to take action
(Ottawa) - The Lung Association today launched "Stop Smoking in Cars!
Our Kids Deserve It!" - a nationwide campaign designed to help
Canadians push their provincial governments to tackle the issue of smoking
in cars where children are present. The Association wants provincial
governments to ensure people "butt out" if they are driving with
kids.
Canadians are urged to visit www.cleanairforkids.ca
and send a message directly to their provincial representative, Health
Minister and Premier.
The campaign will run until December 31, 2008.
"It is simply not acceptable that some children in Canada are forced
to ride in cars when people are smoking - it's a serious public health
issue that needs to be addressed" said Nora Sobolov, President and
CEO of The Lung Association.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2003, the proportion of 12 year-olds
regularly exposed to second-hand smoke in private vehicles was 17%1.
Additionally, according to the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey from
Statistics Canada, 19% of non-smokers 12- 17 years old were regularly
exposed to second-hand smoke in private vehicles2.
Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 dangerous chemicals and carcinogens.
Second-hand smoke in vehicles is especially potent when it is concentrated
in a confined space.
Research shows that children exposed to second-hand smoke are at a higher
risk for many health problems.
Children and babies who are exposed to second hand smoke on a regular
basis are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma,
and ear infections. They are also more likely to develop cancer and heart
disease as adults. Second-hand smoke can make symptoms worse for kids who
have asthma or a respiratory infection. Additionally, there is growing
evidence that kids who are exposed to second-hand smoke before and after
birth have more behaviour problems, shorter attention spans, and lower
marks at school than
their peers who aren't exposed to smoke.
Established in 1900, The Lung Association is one of Canada's oldest and
most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for
science-based information, research, education, support programs and
advocacy on lung heath issues. For more information on the Association,
please visit www.lung.ca.
