Secondhand Smoke

Research

Prenatal smoke tied to poorer asthma-drug response
A new study shows that children with asthma who are exposed to tobacco smoke in utero may have a decreased response to inhaled steroid medications used to prevent asthma attacks. Researchers assessed airway responsiveness, or how easily airways are triggered by benign irritants, in children who were randomly assigned to receive either one of two inhaled steroid medications or a placebo over four years. They found that while both smoke-exposed and non-exposed children improved while on one of the steroid medications, children with prenatal smoke exposure had a 26% reduction in airway responsiveness improvement. The results help explain why children exposed to smoke while in utero may not respond to the drugs as well as expected. The researchers note that inhaled steroids are still important therapies for children with asthma regardless of past smoke exposure, and stress the importance of encouraging pregnant women to quit smoking. Click here to read more, or read the study abstract, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

How secondhand cigarette smoke changes your genes
According to a new study, even the lowest detectable levels of cigarette smoke exposure can directly affect the functioning of genes in cells lining the airway. Researchers analyzed genome-wide expression in cells from the airways of 121 individuals. Urine cotinine and nicotine tests were used to categorize the participants as nonsmokers, active smokers, and low exposure. Data analysis showed that although the effects were much greater in active smokers, there was no threshold for urine nicotine content without a corresponding genomic response in the airway. This indicates that any level of tobacco smoke exposure can cause abnormalities in lung tissues that can lead to lung diseases such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The authors say this study provides further evidence that there is no level of safe smoke exposure, and therefore supports the rationale for banning smoking in public places and workplaces. Click here to read more, or read the abstract of the study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

'Thirdhand smoke' especially harmful for asthma sufferers
New research published in the journal Atmospheric Environment shows that cigarette smoke residue remaining on surfaces, or thirdhand smoke, can react with ozone to form ultrafine particles that can be potentially harmful to the lower respiratory tract. Investigators combined air containing secondhand smoke with ozone in a controlled environment in order to characterize the particles that formed from the chemical reactions. They found that ozone reacts with secondhand smoke to form ultrafine (<100nm) particles. These ultrafine particles can carry and deposit toxic chemicals into the lungs, and are particularly dangerous for the elderly, the very young, and people who suffer from respiratory diseases like asthma. Click here to read more, or read the abstract.

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Reports

Ohio poll: Rethink smoking ban (OH)
A recent poll indicates that while there is great support for the Ohio’s prohibitions on smoking in restaurants and workplaces, there is less support for smokefree bars. The Ohio Health Issues Poll, a yearly survey conducted by the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, used telephone interviews to gather opinions from 898 people throughout the state. The results showed that 77% of respondents supported having smokefree workplaces and 78% favored having smokefree restaurants, but fewer were in support of smokefree bars, with 53% of respondents favoring a repeal of the current ban. Never-smokers tended to be more supportive of all types of smokefree legislation than former or current smokers. Additionally, 48% of respondents favored increasing cigarette taxes by 40 cents per pack. Ohio residents voted to make workplaces, restaurants, bars, and other indoor public places smokefree in 2006. Click here to read more, or click here to view the complete poll results.

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International

Prenatal smoking exposure and the risk of psychiatric morbidity into young adulthood (Finland)
Researchers in Finland have found that prenatal exposure to smoke may heighten the risk of psychiatric illness. The researchers analyzed data from public health registries on 175,869 children born between 1987 and 1989. They incorporated data through 2007 on maternal smoking history, children’s and mothers’ psychiatric diagnoses and care, and causes of death. Compared with individuals whose mothers did not smoke, the odds of psychiatric illnesses were 53% higher in offspring of mothers that smoked fewer than 10 cigarettes per day and 85% higher when more than 10 cigarettes were smoked per day. Additionally, the risk of mortality was 69% higher among children who were exposed to more than 10 cigarettes per day. Click here to read the abstract of the study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Can secondhand smoke hurt kids' grades? (Hong Kong)
A new study found that youth in Hong Kong exposed to secondhand smoke in the home report lower academic performance than those living in smoke-free homes. Questionnaires were given to 23,052 nonsmoking youth aged 11-20 to collect information on academic performance, days of secondhand smoke exposure at home and outside of the home, number of smokers in the home and their relationship to the student, along with sociodemographic information. Compared to students not exposed to secondhand smoke, those reporting exposure 1-4 days per week and those exposed 5-7 days per week were 14% and 28% more likely to report poor academic achievement, respectively. Living with a larger number of smokers also increased the odds of poor performance. The results cannot prove that secondhand smoke exposure causes poor academic performance, and future studies will need to objectively measure second-hand smoke exposure and school performance. Click here to read more, or read the abstract, published in The Journal of Pediatrics.

A qualitative case study of policy maker views about the protection of children from smoking in cars (New Zealand)
Researchers examining New Zealand legislators’ views of smokefree car laws have found that such laws are seen as politically unattractive, ineffective, or difficult to implement and enforce, and are thus not high on the policymaking agenda. Public documents and qualitative interviews with 62 national and district-level policy makers were used to determine their views on smokefree car laws. The researchers found that most of those interviewed were concerned about children and their need to be protected from secondhand smoke, but opinions were mixed about instituting laws prohibiting smoking in cars containing children. Those opposed to smokefree car laws perceived a conflict between privacy rights and child protection, as well as a lack of public support; many indicated that social marketing would be a more effective tool than legislation. These mixed reactions extended across political parties, suggesting that extensive advocacy efforts focusing on public support and similar laws being enacted outside of the country are necessary to elevate smokefree car laws on the political agenda in New Zealand. Click here to read the abstract of the study, published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.

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