Skip to content

Health

Children at risk of long-term health issues from passive smoking

by Adrian Bishop 20 May 2012
Children at risk of long-term health issues from passive smoking

Cigarette Smoke via Shutterstock

Children exposed to passive smoking risk in long-term health problems even if they turn out to be non-smokers, a new study claims. Research over more than 30 years has been carried out into how respiratory problems can be caused by breathing in other people's smoke, especially children of smokers.

Now, a new study from American researchers shows the dangers of coughing and wheezing from passive smoking go on beyond childhood, even if the youngsters never smoke themselves.

The study, conducted by University of Arizona (UoA) researchers, is being discussed at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference, which is being held in San Francisco.

Juliana Pugmire, MPH, DrPH., a research specialist from UoA says, "This study shows that exposure to parental smoking increases the risk of persistence of respiratory symptoms from childhood into adulthood independent of personal smoking.

"Persistent respiratory illness in childhood and young adulthood could indicate an increased risk of chronic respiratory illness and lung function deficits in later life."

Even though many children around the globe are exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), primarily because of their parents smoking, few students have been conducted into long-term problems.

Dr Pugmire says some studies investigated whether children with asthma whose parents smoked suffered problems as adults, but most found no link.

The UoA study not only looked at asthma but other breathing problems and discovered that parental smoking had strong links with coughs and chronic coughs that lasted into adulthood. It also had weaker associations with asthma and wheezing.

The study examined data from the Tucson Epidemiological Study of Airway Obstructive Disease (TESAOD), which lasted from 1972-1996. It involved 3,805 people from 1,655 households who filled in biennial questionnaires. The aim was to assess the prevalence and risks of respiratory diseases and other health issues.

The UoA researchers were particularly interested in 371participants who were aged under 15 during TESAOD, and their parents' smoking habits. They investigated incidents of asthma, wheezing, coughing and persistent coughing, which lasts more than three months.

They then split the data into those who had no symptoms at all, those with issues as adults, but not children, those with problems in childhood, but not as adults and individuals with health problems as children and adults.

They found that more than half the children, (52.3%) were affected by ETS from up to 15 years. After allowing for age, sex and how much the individual was exposed to smoking, the study found that exposure to ETS was associated with various on-going respiratory problems, such as persistent wheezing, coughing and chronic coughing.

Wheezing which begins in a child and lasts until adulthood is linked to lung function problems. Thos with a chronic cough with phlegm - bronchitis - have a high risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) later on, says Dr Pugmire.

Researchers in future plan to look into the effects of personal smoking and exposure to parental smoking and the risks of COPD, ill health and life expectancy in middle-aged and elderly adults.

The study's full title is Respiratory Health Effects Of Childhood Exposure To Environmental Tobacco Smoke In Children Followed To Adulthood.

The ATS aims to improve the world's health by advancing research, clinical care and public health in respiratory disease, critical illness and sleep disorders.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping