Exposing children to second-hand smoke poses many health risks

Children exposed to second-hand smoke notice a much greater risk of having attention deficit hyperactive disorder, stuttering, and headaches than children who have not been around second-hand smoke.

This study, discussed at a Tobacco or Health conference in Asia, analyzes the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on young children. The study, performed in the United States, asked about smoke exposure in children between the ages of 4 and 15, while they were at home. Also measured in the study were continine levels, or the amount of exposure to tobacco smoke.

Researchers found ADHD rates in children exposed to smoke to be 10.6 percent and those not exposed at 4.6 percent, the stuttering rate for exposed children at 6.3 percent versus 3.5 percent in non-exposed, and headache rate in exposed children to be 14.2 percent versus 10.0 percent in children not exposed to smoke.

Researchers add that smoking may also negatively affect a child’s ability to learn on top of creating adverse health conditions for them.

Experts explain the necessity for governmental intervention to further educate communities about the risks of smoking, especially around young children.