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Published on: February 12, 2015
Effects of passive smoking on children's health: a review
A Hawamdeh1, F A Kasasbeh, M A Ahmad
1King Hussein Medical Centre, Amman, Jordan.
Insights
Secondhand smoke exposure in children, equivalent to smoking 60-150 cigarettes annually, is linked to significant health issues. Pediatricians must address these risks and continue public health education.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing concern since the mid-1980s regarding children's health effects from passive smoking.
- Children exposed to parental smoking receive a substantial nicotine dose, comparable to active smoking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence linking passive smoking to various pediatric health disorders.
- To emphasize the importance of addressing passive smoking hazards in child health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on passive smoking and child health.
- Analysis of evidence for associations between environmental tobacco smoke and specific health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports a relationship between passive smoking and prenatal damage, poor growth, and respiratory illnesses.
- Associations were also found with atopy, asthma, coronary heart disease, and sudden infant death syndrome.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians must recognize and act upon the significant health risks posed by passive smoking to children.
- Continued public health education initiatives are crucial to mitigate the impact of secondhand smoke.
Abstract:
Since the mid-1980s there has been increasing interest in the effects of passive smoking on the health of children. It has been estimated that the total nicotine dose received by children whose parents smoke is equivalent to their actively smoking between 60 and 150 cigarettes per year. This review article considers the evidence for a relationship between passive smoking and disorders such as: prenatal damage to the fetus; poor growth indicators; respiratory illness; atopy and asthma; coronary heart disease; and sudden infant death syndrome. We conclude that paediatricians should not be complacent about the hazards of passive smoking for children and that public health education efforts should be continued.
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