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A Good Day's Work: A Guide for Tobacco-Free Work Sites in Arizona, First Edition,
1999
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ETS exposure increases the prevalence of fluid in the middle ear, a sign
of chronic middle ear disease.
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ETS exposure in children irritates the upper respiratory tract and is
associated with a small but significant reduction in lung function.
·
ETS exposure increases the frequency of episodes and severity of
symptoms in asthmatic children. It is estimated that 200,000 to 1,000,000
asthmatic children have their condition worsened by exposure to
environmental tobacco smoke.
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Pregnant women exposed to ETS have a higher instance of pre-term
labor, birth defects, low birth weights and miscarriages.
Make the decision to protect your family members from ETS exposure in the
following ways:
1. Avoid businesses, public transportation and places of entertainment
that allow smoking in an enclosed area.
2. Never allow smoking in your car. The concentration of toxins are
extremely high such a small area.
3. Limit smoking at your place of residence to the outside (away from open
windows or ventilation systems). Decide as a family to make this
commitment. Set up a nice area outside with a chair and ashtray. Ask
your guests and extended family members to honor this request also.
4. If you live in an apartment building or condominiums, ask that you be
placed in a unit where all residences are nonsmoking. If your complex
does not have nonsmoking units, find neighbors who are interested in
meeting with the complex management to discuss instituting such a
policy.
5. Make sure your child's school and day care programs are smoke-free.
Insist that baby-sitters not smoke around your children.
6. Be a good example for your family. Talk to your children about tobacco.
If you do smoke, encourage your family not to do so. Be open. Share
personal experiences. Don't smoke around others, especially pregnant
women and children. Protect all pregnant women and children from
other people's smoke.
7. If you discover that your child is using tobacco, seek help.
For more information, contact your county health department,
or the Arizona's Smoker's Helpline at 1 (800) 556-6222