Smoking at public places is going to be banned from tomorrow in India. But even this can’t prevent the health hazard among children.
A Canadian study has warned that parents who smoke in the presence of their kids in cars and homes might end up fostering nicotine dependence symptoms in them.
Jennifer O'Loughlin, a researcher and professor at Montreal University's department of social and preventive medicine, said, `Increased exposure to second-hand smoke, both in cars and homes, was associated with an increased likelihood of children reporting nicotine dependence symptoms, even though these children had never smoked. These findings support the need for public health interventions that promote non-smoking in the presence of children, and uphold policies to restrict smoking in vehicles when children are present.''
She said their findings confirm previous findings which said that exposure to second-hand smoke might lead to several nicotine withdrawal symptoms, depressed mood, trouble sleeping, irritability, anxiety, restlessness, trouble concentrating and increased appetite among non-smokers.
As part of their study, the researchers chose 1,800 children aged 10 to 12 and asked them to fill questionnaires on their health and behavior, including exposure to second-hand smoke and symptoms of nicotine dependence.
Parents need to acknowledge that they do not smoke in the presence of their children, because not doing this; they are putting not only their but their children’s health in danger.
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