February 15, 2010

Skip the cigar when celebrating baby: third-hand smoke especially dangerous for infants

By Kelley Luckstein

We all know that smoking is bad for you, and particularly for young children and babies, but a new study finds that the residue left behind on hair, clothing, skin and furniture, also poses a risk. That residue, termed third-hand smoke (defined as "tobacco residue clinging to surfaces"), is the focus of a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)…

 

Dr. Edward C. Rosenow III, Mayo Clinic emeritus internist, says, "Most cigars contain as much nicotine as several cigarettes. A large cigar may contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. Secondhand smoke from cigars contains higher concentrations of toxins than does secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Plus, cigars often burn for longer periods of time, which leads to greater amounts of secondhand smoke in the air." …

 

Dr. Richard D. Hurt, with the Mayo Clinic says, "The only way to fully protect your children — and nonsmoking adults in your family — is to make your home and car smoke-free. Consider this added bonus: Enforcing these smoke-free zones may help smokers quit and reduce the risk of teens becoming smokers."

 

 

Examiner, by Jessica Miller, 2/9/2010

Tags: Nicotine Dependence Center, third-hand smoke

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