The Effects of Second Hand Smoke on a Child

There are over 4000 chemical compounds in second hand smoke; 200 of which are known to be poisonous, and upwards of 60 have been identified as carcinogens. Breathing air that is tainted with cigarette smoke is bad for all of us, but for children, the risks are even greater. Not only is a child's body still developing physically, but their breathing rate is faster than that of adults. Adults breathe in and out approximately 14 to 18 times a minute, where newborns can breathe as many as 60 times a minute.