CELEBRATING HEALTHY LIVING
and
PROMOTING A SMOKE-FREE ZONE
Society now knows that smoking is dangerous to both the smoker and to those exposed to smoke. The OESU Health Curriculum recognizes the importance of education for prevention and early intervention. Bradford Elementary School, in conjunction with the Vermont Departments of Health and Education, wants to help all members of our community lead healthier lives. This fall our efforts will include promoting a Smoke-Free Zone.
Secondhand smoke comes from any tobacco product that is burned (e.g. cigarette, cigar or pipe) or exhaled by a smoker. It contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemicals! If you're around second hand smoke, it's like you're smoking too! Even short exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects and increases the risk for heart disease and lung cancer. Did you know that...
 children and babies are more susceptible to secondhand smoke because their lungs are small and still growing,
when children breathe in smoke, it can contribute to lifelong health problems like: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, allergies, and more frequent ear infections.
babies whose parents or caregivers smoke are twice as likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
We know that you want the best for your children. Nicotine addiction is tough to break. What can you do? Here are some suggestions:
 Quit smoking! Helpful support networks include:
1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
vtquitnetwork.org
If you aren't ready to quit yet, make a smoke-free home and car rule.
Let everyone who visits know about the rule, especially babysitters or others who may care for your children.
If you aren't ready to make your home smoke-free yet, make all but one room smoke-free and make sure that the smoke in that room is ventilated out of the home so that it does not bleed into other rooms.
Put a wallet-sized picture of a loved one on your cigarette pack to remind you why keeping smoke away from them is always worth it.
Place "Smoke-Free Zone" reminders in your car and in the places around your home where you smoke.
Team up with another parent who smokes. Together make a pledge to keep smoke away from your children and agree to help watch each other's kids during smoke breaks.
Ask your children or other people in your life to encourage and remind you to keep smoke away from them.
Remember:
When it comes to secondhand smoke, the only safe exposure is NO EXPOSURE.
-- US Surgeon General
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