Exposure to second-hand smoke

View the most recent version.

Article: Exposure to second-hand smoke (PDF)

Objectives

• To identify health risks associated with exposure to second-hand smoke.
• To discover attitudes to exposure to second-hand smoke.

Method

1. Provide each student with a copy of the article "Exposure to second-hand smoke"; have them read the article, selecting and recording key facts or ideas in point form.
2. Ask the class to identify some of the effects of second-hand smoke on non-smokers and indicate which group of non-smoking Canadians has the highest rate of exposure to second-hand smoke.
3. Discuss why non-smoking teens are more likely to be exposed to second-hand smoke than any other group of non-smokers.
4. Divide the class into smokers and non-smokers. Ask non-smokers if they are exposed to second-hand smoke, how often and where. Survey each group to determine what percentage are physically irritated by second-hand smoke. Compare the results with the national figures — 52% non-smokers and 21% of smokers are irritated by second-hand smoke. What percentage of non-smokers mind when people smoke in their presence?
5. Discuss what rules are in place to limit exposure to second-hand smoke at your school and in your community. Are stricter rules needed or greater enforcement of existing rules? What can be done to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke at school, at work, at home and in public places?
6. Follow-up activities could include asking the school nurse to talk to the students about the health risks of second-hand smoke.

Using other resources

• Read "Youth smoking in Canada" in the Winter 1996 edition of Canadian social trends to see what factors influence smoking among Canadian youth.
• Use E-STAT to find data on smoking rates for 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds in other countries using Cansim Tables 104-7001, 104-7002, 104-7003 and 110-0001.

Please e-mail comments or examples of how you used this exercise in your class.