The report, How second-hand smoke harms and kills non-smokers, has been published as part of World No Tobacco Day (31 May), a global event it has co-ordinated. It points out that 'at least' 40 substances in cigarette smoke have been shown to cause cancer and lists a number of its more immediate effects on children, including an increase in bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, acute and chronic middle ear infections, and a trigger for asthma attacks in asthmatic children.
The report said, 'Children's lungs are smaller and their immune systems less developed, making them more likely to develop respiratory and ear infections triggered by second-hand smoke. Because they are smaller and breathe faster than adults, they breathe in more harmful chemicals per pound of their weight in the same amount of time.
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