Where You Learn

Smoke-Free Childcare

Benefits of Smoke-Free Childcare

• Protect children and employees from secondhand and thirdhand smoke.
• Reduce fire risk.
• Reduce maintenance and cleaning costs.¹
• Reduce labor costs.²

Who’s at risk?

• 2 in 5 children (including 7 in 10 black children) are exposed to secondhand smoke.³
• Most children are exposed to secondhand smoke by parents and caregivers (relatives, babysitters, childcare providers).⁴
• Missouri law prohibits using tobacco products at childcare facilities licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services when children are present.
• Allowing smoking in facilities when children are not present puts children at risk for thirdhand smoke exposure.
• The toxic residue left in buildings and vehicles exposes children to cancer-causing chemicals.⁵
• Children in informal childcare settings or in the care of relatives and private babysitters are not protected by the law.
• Read more about the law here: Missouri statute 191.776 regarding tobacco in child care.

What can you do?

• Ask childcare providers about their smoking policy and tobacco use before placing your child with them.
• Choose caregivers who do not smoke.
• Choose childcare facilities with smoke-free policies.
• If caregivers do smoke:
• Caregivers should wash hands after smoking and before interacting with children to reduce thirdhand smoke exposure. However, thirdhand smoke can remain on clothes and hair and can be absorbed through children’s skin.
• Caregivers should not smoke indoors, in cars, or within 25 feet from the childcare facility.

Resources

• Model Nicotine-Free Policy
• Toolkit for Smoke-free Daycares and Preschools
• American Academy of Pediatrics: The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
• Smokefree Cars and Child Health Fact Sheet
• Smokefree Homes and Child Health Fact Sheet
• Missouri Tobacco Quit Services
• Order Free Materials