Health Tip: Keep Children From Secondhand Smoke

(HealthDay News) -- Tobacco smoke is not only harmful to those who are actually smoking, but also to nonsmokers who breathe the same air. The American Lung Association says secondhand smoke can cause serious problems -- especially in children -- including pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections and asthma attacks.

Try to reduce your child''s exposure to secondhand smoke whenever possible. If you are a smoking parent, never smoke near your child or in the house. Also ask visitors, friends and family members not to smoke near your children.

If you''re in a restaurant, ask to sit in the nonsmoking section. Also be sure to ask passengers riding with you and your kids not to smoke in the car. And check with school officials to be sure that your child''s afterschool programs are smoke-free.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Aug. 28, 2006