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Most of us know that exposure to second-hand smoke is dangerous for our health, but a new study published this week in the medical journal Pediatrics reveals that “third-hand” smoke” can also have an adverse health impact on children. Highlighting the importance of public health programs that promote non-smoking in the presence of children, the researchers said their findings add to the results of previous studies, which suggested that exposure to second-hand smoke might lead to several nicotine withdrawal symptoms, including trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression and trouble concentrating.
Secondhand smoke is defined as the combination of the mainstream smoke that a smoker exhales plus the side-stream smoke that comes off the burning end of the cigarette into the environment.
Dr. Jonathan Winickoff and his colleagues from the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston called the toxic particles that remain after cigarette is extinguished and may spread in the room or on clothes “third-hand smoke.” Previous studies have shown that these particles remain in rooms, on clothing and on furniture long after a person has extinguished the cigarette.
For the study, the researchers surveyed more than 1,500 households, asking smokers and non-smokers about their attitudes. They used data from a national random-digit-dial telephone survey from September to November 2005. They found that those who were aware of the dangers of third-had smoke were two times more likely to apply stricter non-smoking policies at their home, compared to those that weren’t familiar with this notion.
While 95% of non-smokers and 85% of smokers agreed that direct inhalation of second-hand smoke was harmful to children, only 65% of non-smokers, and 43% of smokers considered that third-hand smoke was harmful.
“The dangers of third-hand smoke are very real - when you smoke - any place - toxic particulate matter from tobacco smoke gets into your hair and clothing,” Professor Winickoff explained.
The findings support the need for public health interventions that promote non-smoking in the presence of children. Many experts go even further, saying that a law that would ban smoking in homes can have a significant effect in protecting children. It is known that in families where at least one parent smokes, children have a level of cotinine (a toxic metabolite of nicotine) five times higher than normal.
According to recent statistics, 53,800 people die every year from second-hand smoke exposure.
According to a joint study from nine Canadian institutions published last year, 5 percent of children who had never smoked a cigarette, but who were exposed to secondhand smoke in cars or their homes, reported symptoms of nicotine dependence, even though they had never smoked. It is vital that pregnant women are made aware of the possible risks associated with third hand smoke, the researchers said, adding that the particles in cigarettes are known to significantly increase the risk of pregnancy complications.
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