Protect the health of your children: A guide to making your home and car smokefree and vapefree - HE1802

What’s the issue?

Smoking around children and young people is harmful.

Why?

• They will be exposed to secondhand smoke, and children who breathe in secondhand smoke are more likely to develop illnesses such as chest infections, glue ear and asthma.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).
• Young people who have friends and whānau who smoke are more likely to start smoking.

It's illegal to smoke or vape in a vehicle when there are children under the age of 18 present.

Secondhand smoke is a mix of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette plus the smoke blown into the aire by the person smoking.

Kia auahi kore, kia hākohu kore ō tātou whare, ō tātou waka.

Secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke contains more than 200 poisons, some of which can cause cancer.

• The concentration of some poisons is higher in secondhand smoke than in the smoke being breathed in by the person smoking.
• The lungs and body weight of children are small so the poisons found in secondhand smoke are more harmful to them.
• Babies and young children may not be able to move away from secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke in your home and car.

• Opening a window will not remove all of the poisons.
• The poisons will linger long after the smoke and smell have disappeared.

Make your home and car smokefree and vapefree.

Tips to making your home and car smokefree and vapefree

• Make a rule—your home and car are smokefree and vapefree at all times for everyone.
• Remove all ashtrays from your home and car.
• Clean out your car ashtray.
• Remove the car cigarette lighter.
• Place your vape device out of sight and reach.
• Let other people know—put Smokefree | Auahi Kore stickers on your windows. You can order stickers at Supporting Aotearoa to live and breathe smokefree | Smokefree.org.nz and All – Tagged "Smokefree"– HealthEd
• Ask your family and whānau to support you by not smoking in your home and car.

Be a positive role model and don’t smoke around children at any time. They’ll be less likely to start smoking or vaping.

For further information, visit Secondhand smoke | Smokefree.org.nz

If you need support to stop smoking or vaping, visit Supporting Aotearoa to live and breathe smokefree | Smokefree.org.nz or contact Quitline on 0800 778 778 or text QUIT to 4006