Resources Libary – Smoke-Free Environments – Homes

Smoke-Free Environments: Homes

According to the 2017 Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS), 2.8% of children between under the age of 17 and 6.8% of youth aged 12-17 were regularly exposed to second-hand smoke at home in New Brunswick. These rates are among the highest in Canada.

Some facts to keep in mind:

• Babies and children are especially at risk for developing illnesses related to second-hand smoke because their immune systems are less developed; they have smaller bodies and faster breathing rates than adults.  (Source: Dangers of Second-Hand Smoke- Health Canada)
• Compared to children of non-smokers, children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to suffer from:
  • coughing and wheezing;
  • painful ear infections;
  • asthma and other breathing problems;
  • bronchitis, croup, and pneumonia; and
  • sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
    (Source: Dangers of Second-Hand Smoke- Health Canada)
• Cats and dogs, as well as other domestic animals, also suffer from second-hand smoke, just like people. High frequency of smoking in the home increases the toxic load on a pet’s lungs. Nicotine is also very toxic when sudden exposure occurs. When eating cigarettes or butts, the pet can experience vomiting, depression, anxious behaviour, fast heart and breathing rates, tremors, and seizures. Sometimes death occurs. (Source: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association)
• Another health hazard in non-smoke-free homes is third-hand smoke, which is smoke contamination that remains behind after a cigarette is extinguished. This toxic residue clings to carpets, furniture, walls, clothing, hair, etc., long after smoking has stopped. Infants and children are especially at risk as they crawl on carpets and furniture and put things in their mouths. (Source: What is Third-Hand Smoke – NBATC – 2016)

Smoke and Vape Free NB (SVFNB) strongly encourages all New Brunswickers to be Wellness Champions by ensuring their home environments are smoke-free for their loved ones and themselves.  This means refraining from smoking or vaping tobacco, cannabis and any other substance inside the home as well as refraining from smoking and vaping outdoors near family members, especially children. Parents should also be aware that New Brunswick Smoke-Free Places Act prohibits smoking and vaping inside a vehicle when in presence of a person under the age of 16.

Legislation & Policies

Since there is no prohibition in New Brunswick concerning smoking and vaping in one’s private home or on one’s private property, the decision to refrain from smoking and vaping in one’s household is one we encourage every New Brunswicker to take to ensure the health and safety of their loved ones and themselves. Parents who are smokers can take steps, such as only smoking outside the home, not smoking inside their car, and refraining from smoking outdoors next to their children, to reduce their children’s exposure to second and third-hand smoke. Loved ones can also encourage family members who smoke to seek help and support in quitting.

See our Smoke-Free Environments page for more information on the various pieces of legislation regarding smoking and vaping in the province.

Reporting Smoking and Vaping Violations

See our Smoke-Free Environments page.

Signage

There is no required signage for private dwellings.

Consult our Smoke-Free Environments page for more information on required signage for other smoke-free environments.

Dangers of Exposure to Second and Third-Hand Smoke

See our Smoke-Free Environments page for information on the importance of smoke-free environments and the dangers of second and third-hand smoke.

Or particular interest:

• Smoke-Free Housing Month – New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (2016)
• Second-Hand Smoke and Children – New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (2016)
• What Is Third-Hand Smoke? – New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (2016)
• Third-Hand Smoke – New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (2016)
• Second-Hand Smoke Affects Them Too. Your Beloved Pet is Another Reason to Live Tobacco-Free! – New Brunswick Anti-Tobacco Coalition (2017)

Resources and Tips – Making Your Home and Car Smoke-Free

There are also many educational resources on the health risks of smoking and vaping in the Prevention menu of our Resources Library.

For help to quit smoking or to support a loved one on their quit smoking journey, visit our Quit Smoking menu.

Learning Opportunities

Are you a community leader, health care professional, or policymaker? Recommended resources to consult are listed on our Smoke-Free Environments page for you to learn more about:

• statistics on smoking rates and exposure to second-hand smoke and third-hand;
• public health information on the risks of smoking and vaping; and
• aligning your efforts with those already underway nationally and provincially.

Success Stories – Smoke-Free Home Environments