The Department of Health knows that tobacco smoke is a significant public health risk to young children and the feeling is that parents need to be aware of the risks of smoking in the home around their young children. People must reduce the children's exposure to environmental tobacco. Tobacco smoke also contains carbon monoxide, a gas that inhibits the blood ability to carry oxygen to body tissues including vital organs such as the brain and heart. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of passive smoking, making their bronchial tubes more likely to develop respiratory and ear when exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

The Department of Health supports the World Health Organization's conclusion that passive smoking is a cause of bronchitis, pneumonia, cot death, and neurobiological impermanent in children. People around you can get lung cancer and heart disease from passive smoking. Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, accounting for around 85% of all new cases. The risk of lung cancer increase within both years of use and the amount smoked. There is no safe level of tobacco consumption.

Some diseases that could be smoke related:

1. Blood vessel disease
2. Chronic bronchitis
3. Impotence
4. Cancer of the lungs, throat, vocal chords, mouth, tongue, esophagus, bladder, pancreas, kidney, stomach and cervix.
5. Heart Attacks
6. Other common symptoms: Dry mouth, sore throat, headaches, digestive problems, fatigue and mouth ulcers.

• Within about 2 hours of stopping, there is no more nicotine in your blood system. However, it may take 2 days for nicotine by-products to leave your body.
• Within 6 hours your heartbeat slows down and your blood pressure drops slightly. It may take from 3 to 30 days for blood pressure to return to normal.
• Heart rates slow down and blood pressure slightly drops after six hours.
• Between 12 and 24 hours, carbon monoxide is eliminated from your body. Lung efficiency improves. Taste buds and sense of smell improves after two days.
• Blood flow to the hands and feet improves after two months.
• After few months the lungs work more efficiently and are able to remove mucus.
• The incidence and progression of lung disease including chronic and bronchitis are reduced.
• After fifteen years the risk of heart attacks and strokes are almost the same as those of a person who has never smoked.
• You safe a lot of money!

Talking to an ex-smoker can be a great help or call the tobacco help line on: 011 720 3145.

Inquiries:

Harry Mchunu
082 444 9501
012 312 0532

Zanele Mthembu
082 574 3777
012 312 0165 Peter Ucko: 082 454 9889
Director of National Council Against Smoking