| How To Say No To Secondhand Smoke |
"Smoke Free Keeps Me Strong And Healthy!"
Every year, over 430,000 people die of illnesses related to their smoking. But smokers are not the only ones who suffer from smoking. Secondhand smoke is damaging to your health and children's health. Secondhand smoke increases risk of lung cancer, heart disease, allergies, and bronchitis. In children, secondhand smoke increases the occurrence of flu, pneumonia, and middle ear infections.
Children with asthma (lung spasms resulting in inability to breathe), who breathe secondhand smoke, have more attacks and the attacks are more severe. Secondhand smoke may also be the cause of thousands of healthy children developing asthma.
What is secondhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke is a mixture of smoke from the end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of the smoker. Exposure to secondhand smoke is called involuntary smoking or passive smoking.
It's not easy to say no to secondhand smoke. You may feel hesitant or embarrassed to ask someone to stop smoking. But remember, their smoke damages your health and comfort. You have a right to say no!
Saying NO to Friends and Family
If you live with a smoker, ask him or her to smoke outside. Explain that you are concerned about the health risks.
- Ask smokers who visit not to smoke in your home.
- Don't allow smoking in the car either.
- It's your right to keep your home and car smoke free and healthy.
- Try saying: "Mom, I know it's hard when you don't smoke, but I know you care about our health. I'd like to ask you to smoke outside from now on. I don't want to hurt your feelings, but this is really important."
- Tell friends and relatives politely that you'd appreciate it if they would not smoke while you're there.
- Let people know when their smoke is causing immediate problems (making your allergies worse, making you cough, making your eyes sting.)
- Some people will stop smoking when they see the discomfort it causes.
- Try saying: "Cigarette smoking is really bad for my (allergies, asthma, husband's heart condition...). WOuld you not smoke right now? I'd really appreciate it."
- Many public places have rules that prohibit smoking. If smokers's don't follow the rules, ask those in charge to enforce them.
- If you are in a place where smoking is allowed, ask smokers politely to smoke away from you.
- Try saying: "I'd like to ask you a favor. Would you please move so your smoke is not blowing on me. My doctor says secondhand smoke is dangerous.
- Some states and communities have laws that require work places must be smoke free. If this rule is not being enforced, talk with your employer or contact your local health department.
- If you work where smoking is allowed, ask co-workers not to smoke around you. Thank those who stop.
- Hang a "Thank You for Not Smoking" sign in your work area.
- Ask your employer if he or she will make your work place smoke free.
- Try saying: "Maybe you didn't know this, but this is a nonsmoking work area."
- Insist that relatives and caregivers not smoke around your children. Be firm!
- Let them know that smoke increases the risk of asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear problems in children.
- Have your children leave the room or play outside if someone is smoking.
- Choose not to smoke in your home and don't permit others to do so.
- Choose not to smoke if children are present, especially infants and toddlers. They are particularly susceptible to the effects of passive smoking.
- Choose not to smoke in your car.
- Other places your children spend time: EPA recommends that every organization dealing with children have a smoking policy that effectively protects children from exposure to secondhand smoke.
Saying No When You Visit Other's Homes
Saying No in Public Places
Saying No at Work
If You Have Children
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