Finding ways to help smokers to give up, or work out ways to make their homes and cars smokefree, has benefits for the whole whānau.

Cigarette smoke is very harmful for everyone, especially babies. Babies who live with smokers get sick more often than those who don’t. Staying smokefree both during pregnancy and after birth is not only good for mum and baby, it’s good for the whole whānau.

The risks of breathing second-hand smoke

Second-hand smoke is a mix of smoke from a lit cigarette and the smoke blown into the air by the person smoking. Second-hand smoke has more than 200 poisons, some of which can cause cancer.

Babies and small children are often unable to move away from second-hand smoke. They also have small bodies and delicate lungs, so the poisons found in second-hand smoke are more harmful to them.

Breathing in second-hand smoke can make babies sick with chest infections, glue ear and asthma. Second-hand smoke also increases the risk of babies dying suddenly in their sleep, known as ‘sudden unexpected death in infancy’ (SUDI). You might know other names for SUDI, such as ‘SIDS’ or ‘cot-death’.

These pages talk about babies suddenly dying in their sleep and how that can be prevented:

Keeping pēpi safe in their own bed | Te Whatu Ora(external link)

Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) | Tākai

Opening a window at home or winding down the car window will not get rid of all the second-hand smoke poisons. The poisons will also stay around long after the smoke and smell have disappeared.

Making the whānau home and car smokefree

Seasoned smokers may not want to talk about giving up smoking themselves, but might accept some ideas for keeping their baby away from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Making homes and the family car smokefree is a great start. Smokers can smoke outside instead, and wear a ‘smoking shirt’ (or jacket) that they take off before coming inside or holding baby.

More than 350 New Zealanders die each year due to second-hand smoke.

What is second-hand smoke and how does it affect us? | Smokefree(external link)

Support for quitting smoking

Many people who give up smoking find it’s a lot easier than they ever thought it would be.

Helping whānau with tips for quitting and links to where they can get extra support could be the difference between success and failure.

There are phone, web and written resources and face-to-face services available to help quit smoking.

To find out more:

Call Quitline — 0800 778 778