Few people realise how delicate lungs are, and once damaged they seldom recover. So while we lavish care on other parts of our bodies, we seldom think of the importance of ensuring that the lungs of our children, or those in our care, are protected from harm.
Cigarette smoke is especially damaging. Many smokers believe they protect their children by smoking only when not in their presence. But the evidence tells a different story. It is estimated that 17,000 children are hospitalised each year as a result of passive smoking.
This huge number of children go through the trauma of hospital treatment because someone has subjected them to second-hand smoke. Cigarette smoke contains a large number of substances that can cause irreversible damage to the lungs, leading to respiratory disease.
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