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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The dangers of second-hand smoke have been on the radar of Canadians for over two decades - and now the hazards of third-hand smoke to children have been raised.

A study in the January issue of Pediatrics Journal has found toxins from cigarette smoke cling to furniture, clothing and carpeting and can be dangerous to infants and young children.

A study in the January issue of Pediatrics Journal has found toxins from cigarette smoke cling to furniture, clothing and carpeting and can be dangerous to infants and young children. The Canadian Cancer Society said the effects of second and third-hand smoke can be very damaging to children due to their undeveloped immune systems and faster respiratory rates. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

The report stated "third hand smoke is residual tobacco smoke contamination that remains after the cigarette is extinguished. Children are uniquely susceptible to third-hand smoke exposure."

Miriam Wideman, health promotions specialist on tobacco for the Department of Health and Social Services, said the information is very new and the notion of third-hand smoke is the "new buzzword of the day," even though the concept has been known for some time.

"It's been known for a while that smoke clings to things and the toxins in cigarette smoke clings to things," she said. "We haven't had any well-documented studies to show how bad it is but we've known about it."

Wideman said they plan to study the research and learn more about it. She said they have been campaigning against second-hand smoke, which can now include third-hand smoke.

"We have a series of health warning signs at the point of purchase that tell you not to smoke in a car - with children in particular," she said. "You're in a small space and it makes the smoke high-density and it sticks to everything. So your kid is putting her head on her headrest and it's covered with a layer of third-hand smoke.

"I'm not sure which toxins hang around the longest but many of them have long lives. The current research identifies some of those - formaldehyde and some of those are very toxic."

Some 250 poisonous gases, chemicals, and metals including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, butane, ammonia, toluene (found in paint thinners), arsenic, lead, chromium, cadmium, and polonium-210 (a radioactive carcinogen) are found in tobacco smoke. Eleven of the 250 gases are extremely carcinogenic, cancer-causing agents.

Bianca Jorgenson, revenue development co-ordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society in Yellowknife, said based on Statistics Canada information, one in five children under the age of 12 are exposed to second-hand smoke in vehicles and are at a higher risk of health problems.

"Second-hand smoke has a higher concentration when enclosed in a small space for children who are smaller," Jorgenson said. "They have an immature immune system and higher respiratory rates. These effects can be very damaging. The effects would be similar with third-hand smoke."

Wideman said it's crucial people smoke outside of their vehicles and homes to reduce the risks of second and third-hand smoke.

"They should be smoking outside and that's the biggest piece they can do to help their own family and their own personal health because they are also affected by that smoke," she said "The biggest one would be to quit altogether.

"We've done a fair bit around second-hand smoke with legislation around smoking in closed public places, and our next campaign will probably be at home and taking smoking outside."

A tobacco survey done in GNWT schools found youth exposed to smoking because their parents do are three-and-a-half times more likely to smoke.