Children are the future of the nation. All parents desire their children to succeed in life and be healthy. Today, thirdhand smoke, or THS, is a high public health priority as it compromises health, especially that of children.
THS is the residual smoke contamination that remains after the cigarette is extinguished. It remains on the surfaces we touch such as walls, furniture, clothes, sofas and carpets. Infants who crawl and toddlers who cannot express their problems often touch areas affected by THS.
Introduction of young children to tobacco residue so early in life can be disastrous. THS causes damage silently over a long period of time, which is less understood and not taken seriously by many. Although many families are emotional regarding the progress and health of their children, few consider THS as a potential threat.
Children are extremely vulnerable because
- They spend more time indoors. They travel in cars and are taken to social places which have residue of THS
- They ingest a lot of dust particles unlike adults
- They explore objects with their mouths
- They are more susceptible to lower level of toxins.
THS is more dangerous when parents or grandparents smoke at home. For smokers or passive smokers, high level exposure over short periods is definitely detrimental. However, low-level exposure to tobacco residue over long periods is also dangerous, as in THS. Smokers exhale mainstream smoke and the burning end of the cigarette emits sidestream smoke.
Both are inhaled by the passive smoker.
It is easy to understand that somebody smoked in the room or social space as the odour sticks around because of the residue left behind. The absorption of THS occurs through skin, inhalation or ingestion by children. According to a study, it can get airborne and react with chemicals in the air to produce harmful compounds. Threat increases when THS combines with indoor pollutants. Various diseases like ear and respiratory infections have been reported.
Smoking should be strictly avoided close to a child and any form of contact must be delayed. Higher respiratory rate and low body weight makes a child more vulnerable. THS contains nicotine, phenol, cresols and formaldehyde, among other harmful substances.
There should be a conscious attempt to reduce the risk of THS, although that may entail increased household work.
- Wash and clean all hard surfaces, toys, furniture, walls, ceiling and dress materials frequently or daily if residents smoke at home.
- Replace carpets, curtains and blinds regularly though it may be expensive.
- While moving into a new home, please check the smoking history of the previous occupants.
- The residue of THS can persist for a long time even after the smokers have left.
A landmark study by the Max Planck Institute of Chemistry, Germany, and Yale University, US, regarding THS reported important findings. People, smokers and non-smokers included, were allowed in a movie theater which was strictly a non-smoking zone. Release of chemicals related to THS or off gassing was studied.
The findings were interesting
- Though the movie theater was a non-smoking area, residual contamination of THS was found.
- Contaminants were transported by smokers and by secondhand smoke absorbed by non-smokers.
- THS residue did not disappear for a long time.
- Nicotine residue was the most common remnant although tobacco-related volatile organic compounds (VOC) were also detected.
These findings show that a smoker coming out of a designated smoking zone can be harmful to others by producing residue of THS. In some housing complexes of Kolkata, installation of CCTV cameras in lifts and common areas has drastically reduced spitting of tobacco residue. On some occasions, school-going children observe parents or their idols smoke and get inspired to smoke. This is fourthhand smoke. All finally contribute to the increase in tobacco residue. Along with children, THS also affects domestic pets, the outcome of which is not well studied.
THS is very difficult to quantify presently and thus there is no definitive legislation, though the damage caused is accepted worldwide. During driving, the use of a mobile phone is a punishable offence as it causes distraction. However, smoking while driving also distracts but is not enlisted as a punishable offence, which is surprising. Smoking in a car increases THS, which is detrimental to all, especially children. The short- and long-term problems associated with THS are not known to many.
Parents and society should take care of children and make all attempts to avoid thirdhand smoke.
The threat may be silent but it is real.
Author is the secretary of the Bengal Oncology Foundation and clinical director of the department of surgical oncology, Peerless Hospital