Negative effects of Second Hand Smoke (SHS) on children.

Effects of Second Hand Smoke on Children.
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Abstract
Exposure to secondhand smoke, popularly known as SHS, is one of the most prominent causes of ailments among nonsmokers. It is responsible for heart diseases, triggering asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, infant deaths and a myriad of other conditions. It was not always like this, and the losses were not attributed to secondhand smoking. However, over time, increased research by scientists and specialists alike has linked SHS to the illnesses mentioned above and eventual deaths. The research has led to the creation of protective measures such the smoking and non-smoking zones that are aimed at ensuring those who do not smoke are not adversely affected by those who do. The actions have not entirely been foolproof and many people, a majority of who are children, are still at significant risk of SHS from places such as in vehicles and their private homes. This paper will explore the harmful effects of SHS on children.
Keywords: secondhand smoke, effects, children
Adverse Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Children
Introduction
The most well-recognized definition of secondhand smoke (SHS) is a mixture of sidestream smoke from a burning cigarette combined with exhaled mainstream smoke (Jarvie & Malone, 2008). Individuals who smoke are at risk of contracting ailments that include lung cancer and heart diseases. It was not always apparent, but research has shown that smokers are not the only people in danger.

Non-smokers who spend much of their time around smokers are susceptible to suffering from the same ailments smokers do. Those who are at the highest risk are children because of reasons such as higher exposure time as well as low immunity. The following essay will highlight the harmful effects of SHS on children.
Issues and Analysis
The number of children that live with smokers in America is staggering. Approximately 22% of minors (individuals under the age of 18) stay with smokers. This number rises to 40% for children who are under the age of 5 years. The Center for Disease Control estimates that over 2.5 million people have died from SHS since 1964. Children are exposed to SHS when they are at home more than anywhere else CITATION Kun16 l 1033 (Kuntz & Lampert, 2016). Some of the most common detrimental health effects associated with SHS include bronchitis, lung cancer, increased asthma attacks and pneumonia. Infants are especially vulnerable due to their developing organs and reduced immunity. Living around smokers means children continuously wheeze and cough whenever they inhale smoke. They struggle for air and have an exceedingly difficult time overcoming things like simple colds. As a result, the children will miss school in an attempt to seek treatment and recover. In fact, studies show that youngsters exposed to secondhand smoke lose a significant number of school days every year compared to those that come from smoke-free backgrounds. This is because the likelihood of second-hand smoking increases when members of your family and people you live with are smokers. The financial consequences will also follow because of unexpected trips to the hospital as well as the cost of medication. The cost of treatment in the country for SHS related illnesses among infants and children stands at over $4.5 billion (Jarvie & Malone, 2008). Psychological problems associated with missing school for too long can be detrimental to a child. This, coupled with lagging behind as the others progress with their studies will make the student’s performance take a drastic decline. For these reasons, it is imperative that the child is kept away from second-hand smoke.
One of the most common conditions suffered as a result of SHS is pneumonia. In toddlers younger than a year and a half old, up to 300, 000 cases of pneumonia are diagnosed each year. However, there are very many cases that go unreported either because people do not take the conditions seriously or they just cannot afford to seek proper treatment and opt for a self-diagnosis. Bronchitis also seems to go hand in hand with pneumonia, and it is also a common condition associated with second-hand smoking. Both ailments arise as a result of an infection of the lungs. Their lungs also tend to develop slower because of all the bacterial and viral attacks that the children encounter. Secondhand smokers are also at a higher risk of suffering other respiratory infections.
Mannino et al. suggest that SHS may also be responsible for increased levels of lead for any child between the ages of four to sixteen CITATION Man03 l 1033 (Mannino, Albalak, Grosse, & Repace, 2003). The reason for this could perhaps be that SHS has been found to contain over 50 carcinogens. These carcinogens include trace amounts of lead. When sidestream smoke, which has been discovered to be about four times more toxic, is inhaled with exhaled smoke from a smoker, then one can only imagine the ramifications. Sudden infant death is also prevalent among infants exposed to SHS. By definition, it is the unexpected death of an infant without any evidence as to any illness. The smoke inhaled by the toddler has an irritating effect on his or her airways and leads to a respiratory infection. The smoke inhaled contains nicotine that alters some of the baby’s primary activity and metabolism. Incidences of shortness of breath are also frequent among individuals who are exposed to SHS.
Another disease commonly associated with SHS is the middle ear disease. This can be either chronic or acute depending on the severity. A malfunctioning Eustachian Tube is a cause. It usually occurs when the back of the eardrum is inflamed as a result of a viral or bacterial infection. It affects the person’s ability to hear correctly, and on a larger scale, this can be very detrimental. The child’s social life is hugely impacted, and things like playing and entertainment become difficult. The improper hearing also affects his or her education as they cannot concentrate in class. The only alternative left is to seek medical attention which requires hefty finances. Inhaled second-hand smoke has also been known to lead to miscarriages for any pregnant lady. Teenagers up to 18 years are still children for all intents and purposes, and America has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the World. Exposing a pregnancy to second-hand smoke has specific adverse effects. Apart from miscarriages, deformities are also possible where the child born has a specific defect. Early and late pregnancies are also a standard feature of second-hand smokers. The chances of early pregnancy for a girl increase by about 80% when she lives with a smoker. Chances of late pregnancy are slightly lower at 70% in the same conditions.
Perhaps the most apparent condition associated with smoking is lung cancer. It affects first and second-hand smokers. As stated above, tobacco contains various carcinogens that are known to cause cancer. Second-hand smokers and more so children are vulnerable primarily due to their weak and developing organs. The chances of getting cancer when you live with a smoker are about 30% higher. They inhale most of the cancer-causing substances that first-hand smokers do. It matters little whether the second-hand smoke is brief. There are still chances of damaging cells which increases the likelihood of getting cancer. Therefore, prolonged exposure to SHS only puts the child at an even higher risk of developing lung cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 7,300 people who are non-smokers succumb to lung cancer every year in the United States of America. Considering the financial consequences associated with cancer as well as the health implications, lung cancer in children seems like a very dangerous ailment. The saddest thing is that people do not know CITATION Rob17 l 1033 (Roberts, Wagler, & Carr, 2017).
Asthma attacks are also widespread for second-hand smokers. The attacks are usually an allergic reaction by the body to some external or foreign substance. They can be very severe and fatal at times as the individual is unable to breathe. Cigarette smoke can trigger asthma attacks in children and those who get attacks because of SHS get them more frequently and are more severe due to the concentration of smoke around them. There can be no doubt that the asthma attack puts the life of the child in danger and everything should be done to prevent it.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The issue of smoking around children is one that needs to be revisited. Despite the existence of laws that may prohibit smoking in public, numerous individuals are still in danger from secondhand smoke. This is because it is primarily done at home or from the comfort of their cars. By continually doing this, they jeopardize the lives of themselves and those around them. Some have argued that SHS is even more dangerous than first-hand smoke because it contains a mixture of the exhaled smoke as well as the mainstream smoke that comes directly from the cigarette. Children are at risk of contracting such ailments as lung cancer, bronchitis, increased asthmatic attacks and sudden infant deaths. The illnesses contribute to stagnation of education for the child and severe financial implications for the parents or guardians. The failing health leads to a deterioration in social life and eventually death. To stop this, all individuals need to do is to stop smoking around their children. If they do not care about their health, then they should at least care for the well-being of their children.
References
BIBLIOGRAPHY Jarvie, J., & Malone, R. (2008). Children’s Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Private Homes and Cars: An Ethical Analysis. Public Health, 2140-2145.
Kuntz, B., & Lampert, T. (2016). Social disparities in parental smoking and young children’s exposure to secondhand smoke at home: a time-trend analysis of repeated cross-sectional data from the German KiGGS study between 2003-2006 and 2009-2012. BioMed Central, 485.
Mannino, D., Albalak, R., Grosse, S., & Repace, J. (2003). Second-hand Smoke Exposure and Blood Lead Levels in U.S. Children. Epidemiology, 719-727.
Roberts, C., Wagler, G., & Carr, M. (2017). Environmental Tobacco Smoke: Public Perception of Risks of Exposing Children to Second- and Third-Hand Tobacco Smoke. Journal of Pediatric Healthcare, e7-e13.