According to a recently published large scale study, exposing children to second-hand smoke can lead to irreversible artery damage. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, was the first to follow children through to adulthood to find the effects of being exposed to parents’ smoking. It was found that passive smoking leads to a thickening of children’s artery walls, adding 3.3 years to the age of blood vessels by adulthood.
The international team of researchers looked at data from 2,401 people in Finland and 1,375 people in Australia who were asked about their parents’ smoking habits. The scientists used ultrasound to measure the thickness of the children’s artery walls once they had reached adulthood.
“Exposure to passive smoke in childhood causes direct and irreversible damage to the structure of the arteries,” said Seana Gall, a researcher in cardiovascular epidemiology who led the study.
The researchers are urging parents that smoke to drop the habit for the sake of their children’s health. Not only will it benefit the cild to be raised in a smoke free home, it will also improve the health of the parent.
This study adds precedence to the argument that second-hand smoke can be dangerous. In fact, it can sometimes be deadly. The World Health Organization says a whopping 600,000 people die every year as a result of being exposed to other peoples smoke.
The researchers believe that the studies findings show that reducing children’s exposure to smoke is a public health priority.
“Legislation can reduce passive smoke exposure, with restriction of smoking in public places reducing hospitalizations for cardiovascular and respiratory disease,” they wrote, adding that banning smoking in cars with children in them would also have a significant positive effect.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.