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The Effects of Smoking on a Growing Child

Smoking is a dangerous habit that can be difficult to break. It causes heart disease, stroke, lung and other cancers and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "53.6% of young children (aged 3--11 years) were exposed to secondhand smoke in 2007--2008." Children exposed to secondhand smoke or begin smoking at an early age can suffer from other problems. Inform yourself about the ill effects of smoking on children.

  1. Unborn Children

    • Cigarette smoke can cause serious problems with an unborn baby. According to the March of Dimes, at least 10 percent of women smoke during pregnancy and, if they quit, stillbirths and newborn death would be significantly reduced. Smoking can cause premature birth, resulting in underdeveloped organs and disabilities such as cerebral palsy and brain damage. If the baby is carried to term, it is likely to have a lower birth weight and can have congenital heart problems and other defects. Problems can also occur with the placenta, such as placenta previa and placental abruption, and could result in death of both mother and baby.

    Babies and Young Children

    • Babies who are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to suffer from ear infections, asthma and respiratory problems and infections such as coughing, shortness of breath, bronchitis and pneumonia. According to the CDC, infants who live with smokers are at a much greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and secondhand smoke is responsible for about 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States.

    Teens

    • Teenagers may suffer from the same symptoms as younger children, along with additional symptoms. Teens who see their parents smoke are more likely to smoke themselves. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that thousands of teenagers try smoking every day and, "About one third of them will die of a smoking-related disease." Teenagers will suffer many of the same problems as adults, including addiction to nicotine, lung problems, higher risk of cancer, high blood pressure and respiratory infections.

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