Coach on Call
Secondhand Smoke and Pregnancy
You know that smoking while you’re pregnant is very harmful to you and your unborn baby. Did
you know that secondhand smoke is also a serious danger?
Facts about secondhand smoke
•Secondhand smoke is what smokers breathe out into the air. It also comes from the burning
end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.
•It contains more than 4,000 chemicals. More than 40 of them cause cancer. More than 200
are known poisons.
•Compared to the smoke inhaled from a cigarette, secondhand smoke contains:
— Twice as much tar and nicotine per unit volume
— Three times as much cancer-causing benzpyrene
— Five times as much carbon monoxide
— Fifty times as much ammonia
•The dangerous particles in secondhand smoke can stay in the air for hours.
•Breathing secondhand smoke for even a short time can irritate your lungs. It can also reduce
the amount of oxygen in your blood. Long-term exposure puts you at greater risk of lung
disease, heart disease, and cancer. It also causes chronic coughing, wheezing, and irritation
of the eyes and nose.
Why avoid secondhand smoke while you’re pregnant?
The chemicals and poisons you breathe in from secondhand smoke pass to your unborn baby.
If you breathe in secondhand smoke while pregnant, you’re more likely to have:
•A miscarriage or stillbirth
•A baby who weighs too little
•A baby with lung problems
•A baby at greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
You will also want to avoid secondhand smoke after your baby is born. Infants and children
exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to have:
•Asthma, colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other lung diseases
•Middle ear infections
•Sinus infections
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A healthier life is on the line for you!
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Coach on Call
Secondhand Smoke and Pregnancy
How to avoid secondhand smoke
Below are some tips for avoiding secondhand smoke. Check those you might like to try:
r Avoid going to public places where people smoke. Sitting by a window or in a
non-smoking section does not protect you.
r Avoid the homes and cars of people who smoke. Even if they go outside to smoke, their
homes and cars are still full of toxins. The residue from smoking clings to a smoker’s hair
and clothing. It also clings to cushions, carpeting, and other items. Ask friends and family
who smoke to visit you instead. Ask them to smoke outside or leave when they feel the urge
to smoke.
r What if other people in your household smoke?
— Tell them about the dangers of secondhand smoke to you and your baby.
— Urge them to talk with their doctor about quitting.
— Ask them how you can help them quit.
— What if they won’t or can’t quit? Ask them to smoke only outside, away from the house
entrance. Air conditioners, fans, open windows, or smoking in another room do NOT
protect you or your unborn baby.
r Do not allow smoking in your car. What if someone must smoke on the road? Ask them to
let you know when they need a smoke. Stop where it is safe to smoke outside the car.
r Is it hard for you to speak up about secondhand smoke? Practice with a friend or family
member. Use “I” instead of “you.” Be friendly, but firm. Keep in mind that many people will
understand your concerns.
r Has someone been smoking regularly in your home and car? Think about having both
of them cleaned by a professional. Your list should include the ceilings, walls, floors, and
carpets as well as curtains, blinds, and furniture. If possible, include ventilation ducts and
filters. Don’t do this deep cleaning yourself. You will breathe in toxins and they may get on
your skin.
Be the best mother you can be. Protect yourself and your baby from secondhand smoke.
Take Action
Choose two of the tips you checked above. Make a plan below to take action on each one
this week. Be specific. For example: “I will stop visiting Jenna’s house. I will explain why
and ask her to visit me instead. I will ask her to smoke outside when she comes over.”
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
A healthier life is on the line for you!