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By Rose Marxs, September 7th 2008
Reduce the Risk of Children's Allergies and Asthma with Electronic Cigarettes
There are many reasons to be concerned about the health effects of cigarettes, and every day, there are more scientific studies linking smoking to cancers and diseases. In fact, most smokers are familiar with the potential side effects of their habit, but they still choose to smoke for a variety of reasons, including the sheer difficulty of quitting. The problem, of course, is that tobacco cigarettes do not just affect the smoker, but everyone around them, as well. Long-term second hand smoke exposure has been proven to carry the same risk of illness as direct smoke, and for children, being exposed to smoke can lead to health problems throughout life, including the long-term health problems that every smoker is aware of. The concerns and medical discoveries regarding second hand smoke have increased so much, it is now common to sue for unavoidable second hand smoke exposure. As a result of health concerns and lawsuits, federal and state governments have passed many anti-tobacco policies that affect the public and private sectors. While most of this legislation covers public properties, in a few states, these policies invade upon personal space. In Arkansas and Louisiana, it is illegal to smoke in the car when children are present, and several other states are considering similar restrictions.
The Risks
It is clear through both legislation and scientific research that children are seriously impacted by second hand smoke. Not only are children more susceptible to colds and infections which cigarette smoke can aggravate, but the children of smokers are actually at risk for a number of life-long health problems. They are also statistically more likely to start smoking themselves, only increasing their already elevated risk of long-term, smoke-related diseases. Smoking around children puts them at risk for a number of reasons. No parent wants to accept this danger, but many smokers still find it difficult to quit, despite aggravating their children's sensitive systems.
Allergies
Perhaps the biggest problems associated with childhood exposure to second hand smoke, other than potential long-term effects, are allergies and asthma. Scientific studies have shown that children of smokers are approximately 50 percent more likely to develop both air and food-borne allergies than children of non-smokers. This includes children of mothers who smoked through their pregnancy. A large part of children's allergies can be attributed to their immediate environment, which includes the tobacco smoking habits of their parents. While it is true that allergies are rarely a life-threatening problem, they can be truly debilitating and are certainly a life-long issue
Asthma
Another life-long health problem attributed to second hand smoke exposure as a child is asthma. Both children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy and those exposed to second hand smoke after birth are approximately ten times more likely to develop asthma. Asthma is characterized by the tightening of bronchial tubes and inability to breathe. Cigarette smoke can trigger asthma attacks in children who have already developed the disease; in fact, these children are more susceptible to breathing and sinus problems in general. Though no parent wants to cause or contribute to their child's health problems, this is often inevitable with smokers. Even those who do not smoke during pregnancy and try not to do it around their children pose a risk by leaving lighters and cigarette packs around to incite curiosity. It sometimes seems impossible to be a good parent and a smoker at the same time.
The Electronic Cigarette
For those who find themselves in this uncomfortable situation, there is a new alternative smoking device that simulates the sensation of smoking a cigarette without producing any actual smoke. Fifty-One™ electronic cigarettes are completely harmless to those around you and as safe as possible for you. The reason for this combination of comfort and safety is largely the device's smoking vapor. This mixture is mostly made up of water and is colored with propylene glycol to more closely resemble smoke. Fifty-One™ also contains a select amount of nicotine, which means that you get all the same physical and mental sensations as smoking a tobacco cigarette. Plus, since you can customize the level of nicotine in your cigarette, you can find the perfect level of smoking comfort. Electronic cigarettes also come in popular flavors, so chances are, whatever you are used to smoking, you can find an acceptable Fifty-One™ equivalent. Another advantage of being able to choose your level of nicotine is that the smoking vapor you exhale is less likely to contain residual nicotine. Rather, the majority of it is absorbed instantly into your lungs once you inhale it. This assures that Fifty-One™ is completely safe to use around other people, including small children with health problems.
While electronic cigarette are not common everywhere, they are completely legal to smoke in many places tobacco cigarettes are not. In England, for instance, smoking policies depend on smoke and flame, so you can enjoy a Fifty-One™ e-cigarette absolutely anywhere. Several other countries are currently considering electronic cigarette policies. If your child has not already developed any kind of smoking related health problems, switching to electronic cigarettes can help cut that risk in half right away. In fact, there are many reasons to consider forgoing tobacco products altogether. While Fifty-One™ only contains three chemicals, tobacco cigarettes contain over four thousand, including forty known carcinogens. When you set these ingredients aflame, a chemical process is created that further increases the risk of smoking-related health problems. However, simply switching to chewing tobacco does not dramatically reduce the risk of cancer and disease, as mouth and throat cancers are still a threat. In order to truly enjoy a safer product, you need to cut tobacco out altogether. Since Fifty-One™ allows you to do this without having to get used to another, less direct method of nicotine delivery, it has become increasingly popular with parents and younger smokers alike. The fact is, any smoker concerned about the health effects of tobacco can benefit from switching to electronic cigarettes.
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