Officials cite smoking bans and other anti-smoking laws for
a major drop in second hand smoke, but too many children are still exposed. Mike Stobbe of the
Associated Press reports:
"It's still high," said Cinzia Marano, one of the study's authors. "There is no safe level of exposure."
Cigarettes cause lung cancer and other deadly illnesses not only in smokers, but in nonsmokers who breathe in smoke, studies have shown.
For nonsmoking adults, secondhand smoke increases lung cancer risk by at least 20 percent and heart disease risk by at least 25 percent. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of asthma attacks, ear problems, acute respiratory infections and sudden infant death syndrome, health officials say.
The CDC report drew its data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a unique government study that sends mobile trailers out to communities. Participants are asked about their health and get blood tests and physical exams.
The blood tests check for cotinine - a byproduct of nicotine that usually is detectable for up to five days.
Here’s some more smoking-related news. Take a look:
