New Delhi:
Smoking is injurious to health, we all are aware of it but it may prove to be even fatal for children. A new study conducted at University of Cincinnati in US suggests that children who live with a smoker or have exposure to tobacco in their houses become frequently ill or are more prone to getting sick.
The team of researchers analysed 2011-2012 data from the National Survey on Children's Health. They took cases from newborn to 17-years-old children, living with smokers compared with those who not exposed to tobacco smoke at home.
The study showed that children who are surrounded by tobacco or smoke inside houses are more prone to health problems or make frequent visits to doctors as compared to those who were not exposed to tobacco smoke at home.
“Our findings indicate that tobacco smoke exposure has a significant impact on demand for health care services,” said lead study author Ashley Merianos from University of Cincinnati.
A total of 24 percent of children lived with smokers, study showed. Also these children who do not reside with any of smokers in the family were considerably less likely to have had any dental care visits.
Several other studies have also previously established that tobacco smoke causes physical health consequences in children, including respiratory symptoms, increased infections and asthma flare-up, researchers said.
