Cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems - these ailments go hand-in-hand with second-hand smoke.

   But these are not just adult diseases. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are just as likely to be seriously afflicted.

   Children have an elevated risk of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma and suffer a higher rate of sudden infant death syndrome. As adults, they are more likely to get cancer and heart disease.

   While the Ontario government made great strides last year to limit the effects of tobacco on non-smokers with its provincewide ban on smoking in indoor public places, more must be done.

   Ontario Medical Association research shows that a vehicle can be a dangerous place for the child of a smoker - second-hand smoke in the closed confines of a car is 23 times more toxic than in a house.

   That is why the association is pushing the province to follow California's lead.

   Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed a bill that will make it an infraction to smoke in a vehicle if someone under age 18 is present. Motorists will risk fines of up to $100 if they break the law which comes into effect Jan. 1.

   Comparable bans protecting kids from second-hand smoke have been sanctioned in several other U.S. states. A similar ban here in Ontario is the next logical step in our battle to ensure our children's health.

   Second-hand smoke contains toxic substances, more than 40 of which cause cancer. Some of these substances are in stronger concentrations in second-hand smoke than they are in the smoke that goes directly into smokers' lungs.

   Given these facts, it is no surprise that tobacco smoke has such an adverse effect on the young.

   Children forced to inhale second-hand smoke are at risk of lower respiratory tract infections such as croup and pneumonia, increased fluid in the middle ear, reduced lung function and asthma, reduced oxygen flow to tissues comparable to children with anemia, acute middle ear infections, tonsillitis, meningitis, cancers and leukemias, slower growth, adverse neurobehaviour and more colds and sore throats.

   Yes, many smoking parents are conscientious about not smoking in their homes, vehicles or anywhere else that would affect their children. But not all parents are aware of the adverse effects their habit has on their children as indicated by a recent Health Canada survey.

   In 2005, Health Canada surveyed more than 1,000 parents - both smokers and non-smokers living with smokers. Many of these parents said that opening a window, smoking in another room and using air purifiers are sufficient to reduce their children's exposure.

   It is obvious that we need to get the message about second-hand smoke out immediately and the best way to do that is with a highly publicized provincial ban.

   As part of the new legislation, the province must include a substantial fine for those who violate it - $200 for a first offence would certainly make a parent or guardian rethink his or her behaviour.

   The sooner the government acts on this issue the better - the health of our children is at stake. 

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