What You Can Do

Both smokers and non-smokers can take steps to protect people from second-hand smoke.

Smokers

If you are a smoker, the best choice is to quit. If you are not yet ready to quit, you still can take steps to protect yourself and others from second-hand smoke.

• Respect smoke-free zones. Go outside to smoke, and try not to blow smoke in the direction of others.
• If you can’t go outside to smoke, make one room in your home your smoking room and only smoke in that room. Try to keep your cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters there, and try to keep your children out at all times. When you have a cigarette, keep the door closed and sealed and the window open. If you put a fan behind you, it will blow smoke out the open window.
• Smoke as little as possible in your house. Wait until your children have left the house or until you can go outside before lighting up. Try to avoid smoking in the house within three hours of your children coming home from daycare or school.
• Try not to smoke in your car. If you are travelling long distances, stop at a rest area and leave your car to smoke. Pop a mint or use nicotine gum (e.g., Nicorette® or Thrive™) when driving.

Non-smokers

• Make your home and car “smoke-free zones” where you don’t allow anyone to
  smoke. Take ashtrays out of your house and car–if ashtrays are out of sight, smoking is out of mind.
• Set up a smoking area outside and use a can fi lled with sand or gravel for butts.
• Ask people not to smoke around your kids.
• Spend as little time as possible in smoky places, especially if you are pregnant
  because second-hand smoke affects the growing fetus.