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Patients & Consumers Online Tools Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts Diseases 101 Drug Guide Featured Resources » AAAAI Tips Brochures Topic of the Month Information Request Form Donate Now Constituencies » Patients & Consumers Contact Search by Condition (A-Z) Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Breakthroughs in Bioscience Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors		Patients & Consumers: EPA Smoke-Free Home Campaign The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have come together to increase awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke through the Smoke Free Home Campaign. This program offers you the chance to take a pledge to keep cigarette smoke out of your home, allowing you to take the first step toward a smoke-free life and keep harmful secondhand smoke away from your children.     Did you know? Surveys show that 15 million children are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. Children are more susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke because their lungs are still developing. Children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from bronchitis and pneumonia; ear infections; coughing and wheezing; and more frequent and severe asthma attacks. Up to 1 million children with asthma have their condition made worse when exposed to secondhand smoke. Asthma is the leading cause of absenteeism due to chronic illness. Step 1: Know the Facts The AAAAI has a number of resources to help you learn more about the effects of secondhand smoking on asthma. Please take a look at the following links: Article, "Children and Tobacco Smoke Exposure" by Brian A. Smart, MD Childhood Asthma Tip Prevention of Allergies and Asthma Tip Locate an allergist in your area through the Academy’s Physician Referral Directory Help your child learn about their allergic condition with fun activities in the Just for Kids section Step 2: How to Keep a Smoke Free Home Choose not to smoke in your home and do not permit others to do so. Choose not to smoke if children are present, especially infants and toddlers. They are especially vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke. Do not allow baby-sitters or others who work in your home to smoke in the house or near young children. If you must smoke, choose to smoke outside. Moving to another room or opening a window is not enough to protect your children. Step 3: Take the Smoke Free Home Pledge Join the millions of Americans who are protecting their children form secondhand smoke. Take the pledge today! <back>
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