Nunavut's chief coroner reminds residents not to smoke cannabis around kids

Nunavut's chief coroner is reminding Nunavummiutthat infants and children are at an increased risk of health problems from exposure to second-hand marijuana smoke.

Padma Suramala says it'sthe responsibility of her office to warn residents of dangerous practices, including exposure to second-hand smoke.

She says infants and young children exposed to second-hand smoke are sick more often than children who are not. They are at increased risk for pneumonia, ear infections, bronchitis, ongoing coughing and breathing problems even death.

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Before handling a baby, she suggests anyone who has been smoking marijuana wash their hands and mouth. She also says women who are breastfeeding should not smoke.

This warning comes about sixmonths before marijuana is slatedto be legalized nationwide.

The government of Nunavut has yet to release its plan for how the drug will be regulated in the territory. It is the only jurisdiction, aside from Saskatchewan, not to have announced a plan.

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