Children exposed to passive smoking risk health complications – Medical experts

Two medical experts on Friday said that children exposed to passive smoking would be at risk of developing health complications.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke could cause diseases, disability and death.
The experts were reacting to the Lagos State Government’s recent initiation of a bill to prohibit smoking in public.
According to Wikipedia, passive smoking is the inhalation of smoke, called secondhand or environmental tobacco smoke, by persons other than the “active” smoker.
It says: “It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by people within that environment.”
A researcher, Dr. Bamidele Iwalokun, said that combustion of tobacco chemicals and substances were not only harmful to the active smoker, but also those around him.
Iwalokun, of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, said: “Tobacco contains chemicals that are extremely dangerous not only to the smoker but also to people nearby.
“For instance, tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which is an addictive drug as powerful as cocaine or heroin.
“It alters a person’s brain as well as his behaviour and mood.
“Tobacco smoke also contains tar, which is known to be a cancer-causing substance that damages the lungs.”
According to Iwalokun, passive smoking jeopardises the health of babies and other children more than that of adults and increases their risk of developing health complications.
He added: “This is because children are at their developmental stage.
“They are especially sensitive to smoke and breathe faster than adults, thus inhaling more smoke.”
The doctor listed health conditions that could be caused by passive smoking to include asthma, chronic cough, tuberculosis, retarded lung development and pneumonia.
He added that exposure to secondhand smoking decreased lung efficiency and impaired lung function in children.
Iwalokun said: “Research has shown that children whose parents smoke around them fall sick often.
“They are more likely to develop lower respiratory tract infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.
“In addition, wheezing and coughing are more common in children who breathe in secondhand smoke.”
Iwalokun advised parents to ensure that their children were always in a smoke-free environment.
A Cardiologist, Dr. Femi Akinwunmi, told NAN that children exposed to passive smoking could have behavioural problems and learning disabilities.
Akinwunmi said: “Children who are constantly exposed to passive smoking may not develop mentally quickly.
“They are likely to develop behavioural problems and have learning disabilities as a result of inhaling harmful substances such as nicotine and carbon monoxide in the smoke.
“Their chance of developing possible cardiovascular disorders and cancer later is increased.”
Akinwunmi, a Consultant at the Isolo General Hospital, Lagos, said that smoking in the presence of children predisposed them to cough, sore throat, headaches and chest pain.
He advised that more public awareness should be created on the dangers of passive smoking.