Passive smoking harmful for children's health, finds study

Passive smoking also known as secondhand smoke poses significant health risks to children who are particularly vulnerable due to their developing lungs and immune systems experts said on SaturdayPassive smoking in children can result in respiratory problems Sudden infant death syndrome SIDS ear infections developmental delays and future heart diseasePreventing it entails keeping a smokefree home avoiding children and avoiding public smoking areasSupporting cessation programmes and educating family members can also help to protect childrenPassive smoking in children can cause respiratory issues SIDS ear infections developmental issues and future heart disease Preventing it involves maintaining a smokefree home avoiding children and avoiding public smoking areas Supporting cessation programs and educating family members can also help protect children Ravi Shekhar Jha Director and HOD Pulmonology Fortis Escorts Hospital told IANSPassive smoking exposes children to harmful chemicals increasing their risk of respiratory infections asthma and SIDS It can also impair lung development leading to longterm health issues he also emphasisedThe consequences of passive smoking are both immediate as well as longtermShortterm exposure can irritate the eyes nose and throat as well as coughing headaches and difficulty in breathingPassive smoking over time increases the risk of developing serious conditions such as lung cancer heart disease stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPDThe side effects of passive smoking are both immediate and longlasting In the short term exposure can cause eye nose and throat irritation coughing headaches and breathing difficulties Over time passive smoking increases the risk of developing serious conditions such as lung cancer heart disease stroke and COPD Kuldeep Kumar Grover Head of Critical Care and Pulmonology CK Birla Hospital told IANSParticularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke are infants and children who are at higher risk for respiratory infections asthma ear infections and SIDS he also addedPreventing passive smoking in children requires a comprehensive approachMaintaining a smokefree home and car avoiding smoking around children and steering clear of public smoking areas are essential stepsEducating the public about the dangers of secondhand smoke and encouraging smokers to quit are also crucial measuresBy combining legislative measures with public awareness campaigns experts believe that the harmful consequences of passive smoking can be significantly reducedAlso Read Understanding the surge in lung cancer cases among women Expert analysisThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever