Toronto, October 19, 2004 - Today, Ontario doctors welcomed the latest Statistics Canada report, "Second-hand smoke exposure - who's at risk", which confirms that children are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS) in vehicles and homes. The report makes clear why quick action is needed to help protect our children from the harm of SHS.
Statistics Canada reveals that age is closely associated with exposure to SHS - the younger the person, the fewer the options for avoiding SHS. Nearly 1 in 5 children 12 years-of-age are exposed to SHS in cars and 1 in 4 are exposed in homes.
"Unfortunately, some might believe that very few children are exposed to the dangers of second-hand smoke - but the evidence clearly shows that thousand of children continue to be at risk," said Dr. Ted Boadway, Executive Director of the Ontario Medical Association. "It is for this reason that doctors in Ontario are committed to speaking out on behalf of our children."
Children continue to be impacted by SHS because they have little control over their own environments. In fact, more children were exposed to SHS in their homes than in public spaces. According to Stats Canada, 24% of 12 year-olds were regularly exposed to SHS in the home compared to 16% exposed in public spaces.
In their recent position paper, "Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke: Are we protecting our kids?" the Ontario Medical Association recommends smoking restrictions in environments where children spend a majority of their time. Those recommendations include: banning smoking in vehicles with kids, amending the Day Nurseries Act to ban smoking with child care, and including nicotine replacement therapies in the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan.
"Second-hand smoke in homes and cars continues to be a real danger to
our children," said Boadway. "But with on-going education, we believe
the public will come to understand these dangers and act to protect them."
For more information on the OMA report "Exposure
to second-hand smoke: Are we protecting our kids?" Please visit our
website at www.oma.org
For more information, please contact Patrick Nelson or Nadia Daniell, OMA media relations at (416) 340-2243 or toll free at 1-800-268-7215.
For more information please contact:
Patrick Nelson or Nadia
Daniell, OMA Media Relations, at (416) 340-2862 or toll free at 1-800-268-7215.