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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Christy Brooks, MSSW, CSW, Personnel Cabinet, Kentucky Health & Wellness Director, 200 Fair Oaks Lane, 5th Floor, Suite 501, Frankfort, KY 40601, KY 40601, (502)564-0358 ext. 4050, christy.brooks@ky.gov, Ellie Schweizer, Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program, Louisville Metro Health Department, Hampton House, 2422 West Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40211, and Adewale Troutman, MD, MPH, Director, Louisville Metro Health Department, 400 East Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

Secondhand (SHS) smoke is not easy to avoid. Children are a vulnerable population that is uniquely susceptible, involuntarily exposed and inexplicably affected by secondhand smoke. Every child needs to learn how to protect itself from danger. As one grows, health differences emerge and it becomes apparent not every household is the same. Children exposed to secondhand smoke, compared to non-smokers, in the home, have a higher incidence of respiratory symptoms and infections, ear infections, tonsillectomies, slower growth, asthma, behavior problems, SIDS, and sinus problems. Therefore, the Environmental Protection Agency has classified Secondhand Smoke as a Group A Carcinogen.

Consequently, “Lillian Lollipop Learns a Lot About Tobacco” was written to provide an avenue for preschoolers and early primary school children to identify with SHS safety issues. This electronic book engages the children to seek personal safety in order to limit exposure from tobacco products, lighters and ashtrays. The story emphasizes the struggle of addiction for the adult users and encourages them to smoke outside. The story also discusses the negative health issue of SHS on pets. Children are provided with instruction on how to ask adults or the smoke offender questions about SHS.

The Lillian Lollipop program includes reading the story; follow up questions, education on tobacco products or paraphernalia availability to youths. In closing “Tobacco Coalition Officer” stickers are distributed to youth who take the pledge to remain smoke free.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe the major health risks of secondhand smoke on children.
• 2. Identify methods to empower children to limit secondhand smoke exposure.

Keywords: Youth, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation