Respiratory Problems in Children
The passive smoking can definitely affect the health of children. The children who are exposed to passive smoking are more likely to get asthma and bronchitis. The smoke that reaches to the lungs of children through passive smoking contains tar, carbon monoxide, arsenic, ammonia, etc. These poisonous chemical presents in cigarette can severely damage the airways and bronchial tubes of children. These poisonous chemicals irritate the cilia and causes swelling. Moreover, the accumulated tar in the lung reduces the sensitivity of cilia to fight against allergens and other irritants. This worsens the health conditions of lungs. Therefore, it is recommended that children should be kept away from passive smoking.    

Long-Term Effects on Children
Passive smoking can cause severe long-term effect on children. It is often seen that the children who are exposed to passive smoking are prone to heart related diseases. The toxin chemicals enter and accumulate in the lungs through passive smoking. The accumulation of tar in the lung reduces the capabilities of oxygen retention capability of lungs. Prolong exposure to passive smoking can permanently ruin the oxygen retention capability of lung. This reduces the oxygen level in the body and increases the blood pressure. The blood pressure is increased to maintain the oxygen level in the body. This increase in blood pressure puts stress on the heart and cause heart attack and stroke.  

Nicotine Addiction
The children who are exposed to passive smoking tend to get nicotine addiction. Moreover, due to the presence of nicotine in their body would lead to other fatal problems. For instance, the nicotine stimulates the adrenal gland to secret the hormone that affects blood pressure of the body. The increase in blood pressure can induce many problems such as heart attack, stroke, etc. Also, nicotine can alter the chemical reactions of the brain. According to the researchers, it is believed that the nicotine affects the IQ level and memory power in children. Moreover, in lack of nicotine level in the body, the child may show symptoms of depression, anxiety, etc. 

Other Health Related Problems
Apart from heart and lung diseases passive smoking can affect the growth of children. According to a study, it has been concluded that nicotine present in cigarette affects the secretion and releasing of hormone. The nicotine usually alters the secretion of hormone, which affects the growth of body and body organs. Moreover, the nicotine also affects the specialized receptor cells of the brain, which reduces the memory power and IQ of the children. Also, passive smoking can cause pneumonia and ear infection in children. With the growing age, the condition of affected body parts such as lung, heart and brain could become worse.

How to Prevent Smoking in Children
According to the reports, the children in US start smoking from age 11. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parent to teach their children about harmful effects of smoking. Educate your children about the harmful effects and diseases that cause due to the smoking. Also, it is important that parents should avoid smoking in front of their children. As children learn from their parents first then look anywhere else. You can also take your children at those places which are non-smoking zone. You can also keep an eye on the friends of your children to determine that they have good friends.