Some Families Get a Head Start on Protecting Children from Secondhand Smoke

Head Start children and their families may experience better health and fewer asthma attacks thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The two federal agencies will work together to educate Head Start families about the health risks their children face from secondhand smoke and other environmental factors that can trigger asthma attacks.

"Secondhand smoke is a health hazard for all people," said Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu. "It is harmful to our children whether they are exposed in their homes or in public, and brief exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger an asthma attack in children who already have asthma. I commend the collaboration HHS and the EPA have formed to prevent secondhand smoke exposure to our nation's children."

Secondhand Smoke Linked to Serious Health Problems for Children
According to the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General, asthma is a growing problem among children and families nationwide, and secondhand smoke is a serious contributing factor to asthma and other health problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In June 2006, the Surgeon General presented “indisputable” scientific evidence that secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard and that no level of exposure is without risks.

Program Helps Parents Take Steps to Reduce Children’s Health Risks
Approximately 20 percent of U.S. children with asthma are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. The EPA and HHS collaboration is designed to help Head Start families take steps to reduce their children’s exposure to secondhand smoke and prevent serious health problems. According to the EPA, children's exposure to secondhand smoke is responsible for:

• increases in the number and severity of asthma attacks in 200,000 to 1 million children with asthma;
• between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections (for children less than 18 months old); and,
• respiratory tract infections resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations each year.

Children Most At Risk from Secondhand Smoke
Although secondhand smoke is a serious health threat to people of all ages—increasing nonsmokers’ risk of heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and their risk of lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent—children suffer most by exposure to secondhand smoke.

Children’s bodies are still developing, they breathe at a higher rate than adults, and they have little control over their indoor environments. As a result, children receiving high doses of secondhand smoke, such as those with parents who smoke, run the greatest risk of damaging health effects.

Program Focuses on Education and Action
The EPA will work with Head Start state collaboration offices to educate Head Start staff and families about comprehensive asthma environmental management practices and secondhand smoke prevention. The partnership also will focus on motivating families to take steps to reduce secondhand smoke exposure and other indoor asthma triggers.

"Every parent hopes their child will grow up happy, healthy and strong," said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "By providing a smoke-free home environment, parents can keep their children on the path toward a promising future."

More information:

• The Basics of Secondhand Smoke and its Effect on Human Health
• U.S. Surgeon General Reports Indisputable Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
• Smoke-free, Asthma-Friendly Homes for Head Start Families – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Smoke-free Homes Program – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Asthma and Indoor Environments – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency