Most adults understand the risks involved with smoking, like lung cancer, but still can't seem to quit. Understanding the effect that second hand smoke has on your children might be the extra motivation you need.

Children exposed to tobacco smoke in their homes suffer higher rates of Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder, stuttering and more headaches. A recent study found children exposed to second–hand smoke had double the rate of ADHD, almost double the rate of stuttering and an increased rate of headaches. This study showed how passive smoking could impact a child's overall health as well as learning and social development.

According to the Surgeon General, because their bodies are developing, infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the poisons in secondhand smoke. Both babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant and babies who are exposed to second-hand smoke after birth are more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome than babies who are not exposed to cigarette smoke. Mothers who are exposed to second-hand smoke while pregnant are more likely to have lower birth weight babies, which makes babies weaker and increases the risk for many health problems. It causes acute lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and young children. If a child already suffers from asthma, second-hand smoke causes them to experience more frequent and severe asthma attacks. Exposed children also have an increased risk for ear infections and and a lifetime higher risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Children are powerless to protect themselves from secondhand smoke. The single best step you can take to protect your family's health and your own is to quit smoking.