Secondhand Smoke

Research

New report suggests why risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is greater in babies of mothers who smoke
A new review indicates Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) among children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may result from nicotine's effects on the development of parts of the brain that regulate breathing. In order to explain how in utero exposure to cigarette smoke increases the risk of SIDS, the authors describe results from multiple human studies that examined the relationship between maternal smoking and changes in breathing pattern and ventilatory and arousal responses, as well as animal studies that investigated the role of nicotine in changing respiratory control. Infants born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy tend to have more pauses in breathing and less ability to wake up in response to low oxygen levels than infants born to nonsmokers. The findings reinforce the importance of tobacco cessation in pregnant women, as well as the prevention of smoking initiation among adolescent girls. Click here to read more, or read the full review, published in the journal Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology.

Hearing loss linked to passive smoking
A new study published in Tobacco Control suggests that secondhand smoke is associated with hearing loss among adult nonsmokers. Researchers used data collected from 3,307 nonsmoking adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) to examine the link between secondhand smoke exposure and hearing loss. Hearing loss was assessed using audiometric testing, secondhand smoke exposure was measured through serum cotinine level, and smoking history was self-reported. Information was also collected on related variables like other medical conditions and noise exposure histories. The results showed that secondhand smoke exposure was associated with increases in the risk of hearing loss at low and mid frequencies (a 14% increase in the risk among never-smokers and 30% among former smokers) as well as high frequencies (40% increase among former smokers). The findings reveal another negative health outcome associated with secondhand smoke, strengthening arguments for policies that prevent exposure. Click here to read more, or read the study abstract.

Smoking link to 'criminal' children
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public health have found that children born to mothers that smoked heavily during pregnancy are more likely to be arrested as adults than children born to nonsmoking mothers. The researchers reviewed the adult criminal records of 3,766 individuals born from 1959-1966 whose mothers' smoking histories were available through their enrollment in the Providence, Rhode Island site of the Collaborative Perinatal Project. When controlling for sociodemographic factors and other confounders, the researchers found that heavy maternal smoking (at least 20 cigarettes per day) was associated with a 31% increased likelihood of criminal activity in their adult offspring, as well as increased odds of multiple arrests. This implies that elevated risk of arrest is linked to exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in the womb, independent of other family attributes known to be associated with criminal offenses. Click here to read more, or click here to read the abstract of the study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

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Reports

Wisconsin Restaurant Association: Statewide smoke-free law well received by restaurants and customers
According to new data from the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention & Control Program, only 524 non-compliance reports were filed during the first four months after the statewide comprehensive smoke-free policy went into effect. During this time period, a total of 344 businesses had one or more complaints filed against them. The report also shows that the number of complaints has dropped steadily each month since the law was implemented in July 2010. The Wisconsin Restaurant Association also notes that restaurants and customers are happy with the smokefree law overall; the Restaurant Association's board of directors has supported the implementation of a statewide smokefree law since 2007. Click here to read more, or click here to access the new report, Wisconsin Smoke-Free Workplaces Law: Monthly Number of Unique Non-Compliance Reports and Businesses.

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