Exposure
of children to tobacco smoke may lead to atherosclerosis (clogging and
hardening of arteries) at an early age, says a new study.
While
previous research has pointed to a link between secondhand smoke and
the development of the condition in adults, this is the first time it
has been suggested in children.
The
cross-sectional study of 383 ten-year-old students in southwest
Germany, published in European Heart Journal,* found
that those reported by their parents as exposed to smoke at home were
more likely to show metabolic changes which the authors say “may
initiate atherosclerosis in early life”.
In
the wake of the study, the 40-group Protecting Children from Tobacco
coalition of health and child welfare organisations has called on all
governments to accelerate moves to make child-accessible areas 100%
smokefree.
Commenting
on the study, Australian atherosclerosis expert Prof David Celermajer
of
Sydney
University
and
Royal Prince
Alfred
Hospital
says:
“Atherosclerosis
can lead to heart disease and strokes. More than 300,000 Australians
suffer from it, mostly later in life – but this study suggests its
onset can be brought forward significantly by children being exposed
to secondhand smoke.
“What
this study highlights is that potentially dangerous effects related to
secondhand smoke exposure can begin in children, even in the first
decade of life. This provides good scientific support for a policy of
harm minimisation in children by helping them avoid exposure to the
smoke of others.“
Protecting
Children from Tobacco spokesperson Stafford Sanders adds:
“This
is more evidence pointing to the need for all public areas frequented
by children, including dining areas, playgrounds, public pools,
beaches and sportsfields, to be made smokefree by law; and for any
governments that have not yet made cars carrying children smokefree to
do so quickly.
“Other
studies have shown that significant smoke exposure can occur in
crowded partly-enclosed and unenclosed areas, and that children are
particularly susceptible.
“State
governments should not be leaving this important public health matter
to a variable patchwork of actions by local government. They should be
legislating to protect children from this well-evidenced health risk
by making cars carrying children, and all public areas frequented by
children, smokefree.”
* Study
abstract at http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/ehp180v1
Comment:
Prof
David Celermajer, RPAH /
Sydney
University
via….
Comment/media
info:
Stafford Sanders, co-ordinator PCFT
ph. (02) 9334-1823;
m. 0412-070-194
|
