Connexions Resource Centre - Main Office
Visits by appointment only
67, rue du Couvent, Gatineau, Qc, J9H 6A2
819-557-0615 •

Connexions Resource Centre - Satellite Offices
Visits by appointment only
Shawville: 530, rue Main, Shawville, Qc, J0X 2Y0
Wakefield: 721, chemin Riverside, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0
819-557-0615 •

Keep Those Little Pink Lungs Healthy! Smoke-Free Family Campaign on the Dangers of Second-Hand Smoke

Second-hand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical substances and is particularly harmful to the respiratory health of children and babies. Exposure to this toxic smoke can cause or exacerbate several respiratory problems in children, such as coughs, colds, bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma.

Children of Smokers are 2 to 4 Times more Likely to Have Asthma.

Take Care of those Little Lungs
Children’s lungs are still developing, and until adolescence, they are not as strong as adult lungs. This immaturity of the lungs makes them more susceptible to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. Moreover, nicotine can impair lung development
in children.

Toxic Breathing
Babies and children breathe 2 to 3 times faster than adults, which means they absorb greater quantities of toxic substances.

Pink Lungs in Danger
In addition to changing the colour of the walls and ceilings, the tar in cigarette smoke that blackens smokers’ lungs also accumulates in the lungs of children exposed to second-hand smoke. The result? Goodbye to those healthy little pink lungs!

Fortunately, you can protect your child’s little pink lungs by never smoking around them.

An Opportunity to Quit?

Take Action Against Second-Hand Smoke

1. Make your Home a 100% Smoke-Free Zone

  • Inside, we don’t smoke, even under the range hood, in the basement, in the garage…
  • Outside, we smoke far away from doors, windows and the patio.
  • Take advantage of a move to keep the smoke outside!

2. Make your Car a 100% Smoke-Free Zone

  • In the car, we don’t smoke, even with the windows down, the roof open, with the fan and air conditioning on…
  • If your passengers are smokers, offer to stop so they can smoke outside.

Important: These rules apply to everyone – even guests! – and at all times, even if the children aren’t there.

3. When Outside, Make Sure to Smoke Far Away from Children and Pregnant Women

  • Even on a balcony, in a park, or while walking, second-hand smoke poses a risk to children’s health if they are near the smoker. It is less concentrated, but is still dangerous…

TAKE NOTE: The law prohibits smoking tobacco products and vaping:

  • In vehicles when a child under 16 is present;
  • In outdoor play areas for children, on sports fields and playgrounds.

GOOD TO KNOW: These tips also apply to e-cigarette vapour (vaporizer) and, of course, cannabis smoke.

About Smoke-Free Family

Smoke-Free Family is an initiative of Capsana presented in collaboration with a network of public
and private organizations, including Quebec’s Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, the
provincial Directions régionales de santé publique, and the Jean Coutu Group.