According to scientists, smoking is one of the hardest addictions to give up and because of this pricier cigarettes might lead to even more people feeling “food insecure.” A reliable solution might be a more aggressive campaign promoting the dangers of smoking and the hardships of quitting this vice. Families with at least one smoker, children were “food insecure” in a proportion of 17%. In houses with no smokers, “food insecure” children were only in a proportion of 8.7%. Scientists believe that the situation is going to get worse, due to the collapsing economy. Experts have also declared that raising taxes on cigarettes cannot be a reliable solution, as higher costs for tobacco products might get people to allocate even lower funds for food.

Apparently, there is a new threat associated with smoking, besides inspiring the smoke of others. The new risk is called “third-hand smoking” and has been published in this month's issue of the journal Pediatrics. Parents who smoke can affect their children even if they go outside for a quick smoke as the study shows that the toxins released by the cigarettes can cling on a person’s skin and hair and clothes. The toxins vary from heavy metals, carcinogens, and even radioactive materials.

Children can be affected by parents that smoke, as it was shown in a study published last year. That study showed that children who live with parents that smoke are more predisposed to be “food-insecure.” The study showed that in families with at least one smoker, children were “food insecure” in a proportion of 17%. In houses with no smokers, “food insecure” children were only in a proportion of 8.7%.