Do you know how much harm second-hand smoke does to children? It is often said that people who smell smoke are more likely to be polluted by smoke than those who smoke. Today I will tell you how much harm secondhand smoke does to children.
Since 1980, the incidence rate of asthma in children under 5 years old has increased considerably. About 5100 people die of asthma each year in the United States, with an average of 14 per day. Asthma causes 14 million absenteeism days of American children every year, which has become the most serious chronic disease affecting children's learning. According to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, children are the biggest victims of environmental pollution. Generally, children experience higher environmental exposure than adults, and they breathe more air per pound than adults, and thus inhale more pollutants. In addition, children's hyperactivity, poor self-protection ability, immune function and other reasons make them most vulnerable to pollutants.
According to the assessment of the World Health Organization, the harm of second-hand smoke on children's health mainly includes: causing asthma, sudden death syndrome, tracheitis, pneumonia and ear inflammation. Exposure to second-hand smoke has led to an increase in the incidence and symptoms of asthma in 200000 to 1 million American children; about 150000 to 300000 children under 18 months of age suffer from respiratory diseases; and an increased prevalence of pediatric diseases with effusion in the middle ear are all related to second-hand smoke. Among them, 7500 to 15000 people need hospitalization each year; In addition, about 1900 to 2700 cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) each year in the United States are also believed to be related to secondhand smoke pollution.
Second hand smoke is also the main stimulating factor of childhood asthma. A study shows that the combined effect of second-hand smoke and mites in the room can make the incidence rate of asthma more higher in preschool children, especially those with parents smoking, and their children are far more likely to suffer from related diseases than those in non-smoking families. In its report to Congress, EPA once pointed out that children are the most precious asset of the United States, and children's health is related to the quality of future citizens and international competitiveness of the United States. Ms. Whitman, the current director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also pointed out: "today, children account for a quarter of China's population, but they are 100% of our country's future.
The World Health Organization is committed to working with us to ensure that our children drink safe water, breathe clean air, and play in pollution-free land. In order to protect children from second-hand smoke, the United States has launched a series of national actions over the years: among the three major indoor environmental pollutants assessments completed before 2000, secondhand smoke was included; the national asthma education and prevention program was launched as early as 1989; and; The presidential task force on environmental risks for children, which was launched in 1997, and the no smoking family guarantee action launched last year.