The Consequences of Smoking - Essay Example

Results of the study conducted by Dr. Robert McMillen and others (2003) show that 70% of US adult smokers do not prohibit or do not have smoking prohibitions at home which puts their spouses', children's and other inhabitants' health at risk. The same study confirmed that parent's cigarette consumption influences their children's exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) (McMillen, 2003).According to Randall (2006), secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoke, is the involuntary breathing of other people's smoke.

In his study, he found out that more than 40% of British children live in a house with at least one person smoking. And secondhand smoke is worse than firsthand smoke, these children are even more in danger of acquiring illnesses such as asthma. Asthma is said to be the most common chronic illness in children (Hansen, 2002). And because studies show that a large number of US homes do not prohibit smoking inside the house, there is a great possibility that the children acquire or inhale some of the secondhand smoke from cigarettes and tobacco.

Results of a study regarding protecting children from tobacco exposure show that smoking behavior in the home has significant effects on a child's ETS exposure (Johansson, 2004). This, among other studies, led to attempts to manage the onset of asthma among children, and the organization of programs educating parents on how to control their smoking behavior. Aside from the parents' smoking habits, other factors such as the supervision of nurses and caregivers have also been recorded to have effects on the child's health.

Several results from different studies show that supervision or assistance given by nurses to help parents and caregivers control their smoking habits and minimize the children's exposure to smoke have been effective. In fact, a study by Navaie-Waliser (2000) proved that nurses give valuable knowledge to caregivers on how to manage asthma attacks. The study also identified dust/dust mites, animal dander, mold, perfumes/detergents, and cigarette smoke as some of the factors that trigger asthma attacks.

According to Warschburger (2003), parent education has proven to be effective in improving parents coping with their child's asthma. The study that Warschburger conducted was for the purpose of developing a cognitive-behavioral training program for parents and compares its differential effectiveness with an information-centered standard program as part of rehabilitation. Results showed that both groups had an increase in their knowledge, self-efficacy, and quality of life over time. There was also improvement in the children of both groups.

Those are shreds of evidence that parents if presented with the essential and relevant information and education, would become more aware of their actions and would even actively participate in the "shaping procedures" they are made to follow or apply in their households. This implies that some parents only lack the right reminder and motivation for them to understand that there is a way for them to contribute to reducing their children's risks of developing diseases caused by the secondhand smoke that they are exposed to.