There are approximately 50 cancer-causing toxic substances in second-hand smoke. It’s no surprise then that when kids breathe in smoke-filled air, they face a number of health risks.

The following is a list of various diseases and conditions that children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to develop:

* asthma
* ear infections
* respiratory infections (e.g., croup and pneumonia)
* leukemia
* tonsillitis
* impaired growth
* abnormal cholesterol levels

Asthma, a chronic lung condition in which the airways become inflamed and swollen causing them to narrow, is becoming increasingly common among Canadian children - it has quadrupled in the last 20 years. For children with asthma, second-hand smoke can trigger an attack and a serious asthma attack may require hospitalization and, in some cases, may even be fatal.

All of this harm to smokers and their loved ones drives home one resounding point - butting out for good is in everyone’s best interests.

If you have kids or pets it may be a good idea to go outside when you light-up so they are not exposed to second hand smoke and the possible dangers.