Study brings new warning over second-hand smoke
by William HobsonSecond-hand or "passive smoking" could be more dangerous to the young than previously thought, a study has shown.
A Finnish study has found that children who regularly inhale second-hand smoke from as early as eight years old can suffer signs of artery damage by the age of 13, reports the UK Press Association. The study, begun in 1990, aimed to investigate heart disease risk factors by following 494 Finnish Children from infancy.
Findings from the study revealed that those children who were exposed to higher levels of second-hand smoke, displayed more evidence of artery wall thickening and decreased functioning; precursors to artery hardening and narrowing - a major risk factor in heart attacks and strokes later in life.
The study's revelations add yet another compelling reason for those with children to stop smoking. Hypnotherapy can help overcome nicotine addiction without dependence on pharmaceutical supplements.
Using a combination of ultrasound measurements and a test of the ability of blood vessels to dilate in response to blood flow, it was discovered that children in the "high exposure" category could have a 15% reduction in blood flow.
Study leader Dr Katariina Kallio of Finland's University of Turku, said "Although previous research has found that passive smoke may be harmful for blood vessels among adults, we did not know until this study that these specific effects also happen among children and adolescents."
"These findings suggest that children should not face exposure to tobacco smoke at all. Even a little exposure to tobacco smoke may be harmful for blood vessels. We need to provide children a smoke-free environment."
