Look at your own facility: how much is a smoke-free zone? What do you do when a child is admitted for a chest infection and both parents smoke at home? Do you address smoking in a mom whose newborn has growth restriction? What will you do the next time you see an adolescent vaping? 

As healthcare professionals, we are uniquely positioned to protect children from preventable harm. Ensuring tobacco-free environments is not only a clinical responsibility, but also a commitment to children’s rights, dignity and future health. [https://scielo.org.za/pdf/sajch/v13n1/02.pdf] In addition, the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill of 2022 aims, through legislative means, to reduce tobacco- and nicotine- related harm in the adult population and the use of it by children.

For this month and beyond, we request that you integrate screening for tobacco exposure into all child health care visits, use every patient interaction as an opportunity to provide counselling to the caregiver and child, and raise professional awareness on ward rounds and in clinical teaching sessions.