Secondhand and Thirdhand Smoke

You've decided to quit smoking. That's great! Giving up cigarettes won't only benefit you, but also the people close to you. If you're the only one who smokes in your family, you might think that only you are affected by the smoke. Unfortunately, this isn't true. Your loved ones are likely to be harmed by environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or secondhand and thirdhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is the smoke from other people's cigarettes that goes into the air. Thirdhand smoke is the smoke that lingers on fabrics and surfaces, for example clothes, the window curtains or the walls.

Quit smoking for good so that your loved ones are no longer harmed when exposed to secondhand smoke. Let's look at the benefits of quitting smoking for your family.

Related: Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Quit Smoking For Your Child

Expecting a child? Here’s how quitting will benefit the developing baby and lead to fewer health problems for mummy and daddy, too.

As a Mummy-to-be

When you smoke during your pregnancy, the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke can pass through your bloodstream into your baby’s blood.

By quitting, you give your precious little one a chance to develop in a healthy environment. Plus, you’re more likely to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Quitting will make sure that your baby’s airways are not damaged by harmful cigarette smoke, and sharply reduce the risks of breathing problems, slow growth, premature birth, or miscarriage and stillbirth.

As a Daddy-to-be

Exposure to ETS will harm your developing baby in similar ways as those stated above. Quitting will not only greatly reduce these health issues — you will also be giving your partner peace of mind during her pregnancy, giving mummy and baby a higher chance of a healthy delivery and lower risk of health problems.

Related: Smoking and Babies: What’s the Harm?

How Quitting Smoking Helps Your Growing Child

The dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke continue to affect children as they grow up. Stubbing out will give them a smoke-free environment where they can grow up safe from increased risks of lung diseases, cancer, and breathing problems like asthma.

Quitting will also make you a better role model: children who grow up with non-smokers are less likely to pick up smoking than those who live with smokers.

Related: Smoke-Free Environment for a Healthier Family

Quit Smoking For Family and Friends

Of course, quitting will keep your other family members safe from risks of cancer and heart disease. Remember the risks you face as a smoker also applies to the people closest to you, so keep the ones you love healthy and protect them from being exposed to secondhand smoke by quitting!

Related: Effects of Secondhand Smoke on Your Child’s Health

Staying Smoke-Free

You've already given your family a head start on the road to recovery by stubbing out that last cigarette.

The next time you think of lighting up, resist the temptation by reminding yourself of the benefits of quitting: not only will you feel better physically and mentally, but you’ll also keep the people you love out of harm’s way and free from health problems.

Resources for Quitting

Join the I Quit Programme and remain smoke free for 28 days and you are 5 times more likely to quit smoking. You can nominate your loved ones as a supporter when you sign up for the programme. Validate your smoke-free status and redeem a HPB eVoucher* worth $50 at the 28th day milestone. Keep going and you'll also receive eVouchers* worth $30 and $20 at the 3rd month and 6th month milestone respectively!

*Terms and conditions apply. 


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