A study into the effects passive smoking has on children and their health has been conducted by American scientists. The results were recently presented at the Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT) in Sydney.

The study found that children exposed to second-hand smoke had a higher rate of health issues including:

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (10.6% compared to 4.6%)
  • Stuttering (6.3%% compared to 3.5%) and,
  • Increased occurrence of headaches (14.2% compared to 10.0%).

ADHD affects between 3% and 5% of all Australian children and research indicates that it is more common among boys than girls.

Wendy Max, Professor of Health Economics at the University of California in San Francisco, said the results proved that children’s exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke could have a negative impact on their learning and education as well as their health and all-round wellness.

“Our research shows children who are exposed to tobacco smoke are impacted in three different areas of their development. These physical and mental problems are a disadvantage to a child’s cognitive and social development,” Professor Max said.

“Children in countries with high smoking prevalence are most vulnerable,” she added.

The study examined the exposure to cigarette smoke at home among children aged between 4 and 15 years old.  Cotinine levels in the young people’s blood measured their exposure to tobacco smoke. Children from both smoking and non-smoking families were included in the study.

Professor Ian Olver, CEO of Cancer Council Australia supported the US based study, saying  the research proved that smoking harms everyone who comes into contact with it, either directly or indirectly. Children are vulnerable because they have no control of their environments, especially at home.

“The right to a smoke-free childhood is a basic human right. Governments need to work together to educate communities everywhere about smoking. It is an addiction that kills more than half of those addicted, and harms others as well, particularly where smoking is unregulated,” Professor Olver said.

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha
Source: The Times of India