Lancet: Over 760 million children affected by second-hand smoke worldwide
PARIS, Sept 8 — More than 2.7 billion people including children have been exposed to second-hand smoke globally, c...
Nearly 760 million children around the world have been affected by second-hand smoke, according to a study published in The Lancet. The research, conducted by reviewing studies in the US National Institutes of Health database PubMed and population surveys, found that 2.7 billion people, including children, were exposed to second-hand smoke globally in 2023.
This exposure is estimated to have resulted in nearly 1.7 million deaths and caused premature disability and illness, primarily due to ischaemic heart disease. Children were found to be particularly affected by respiratory tract infections, with 5.2 million estimated cases in 2023. The study highlighted that smoke exposure, often from "sidestream smoke" from burning tobacco products, carries higher concentrations of toxic and carcinogenic compounds than the smoke inhaled by active smokers.
Despite global declines in smoking prevalence since 1990, the absolute number of people exposed has remained stable due to population growth, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. Women are disproportionately affected by second-hand smoke, especially in regions with low smoking prevalence among women. The study urges governments to implement stronger tobacco controls in public places and homes to better protect women and children from this health risk.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
