Health
Secondhand smoke may trigger nicotine dependence symptoms in kids
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 20, 2008
Children exposed to smoke from someone else's cigarette in motor vehicles may experience feelings similar to someone who regularly uses tobacco, according to a study in the September Addictive Behaviors.
"These findings support the need for public health interventions that promote nonsmoking in the presence of children, and uphold policies to restrict smoking in vehicles when children are present," said Jennifer O'Loughlin, PhD, senior author and professor at the University of Montreal's Dept. of Social and Preventive Medicine.
Researchers recruited 1,800 children from 29 schools in Quebec and asked them about issues related to tobacco use. About 37% lived with smokers, and 26% rode in cars with them. Also, 13%tried smoking themselves. Among those who had never smoked, riding in a car with someone who did increased the risk of experiencing nicotine dependence symptoms by 20%.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/10/20/hlbf1020.htm.
