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February 18, 2005
Secondhand Smoke Linked to Low Scores on Achievement Tests
According to research children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to achieve
lower test scores in reading, math and problem-solving than children who remain unexposed.
Earlier studies have shown that tobacco exposure hurts children's intellectual
development, and this new study confirms those findings. |
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Researchers pointed out that this study is more persuasive than earlier studies because of
the sample size.
Methods
The study included 4,400 youngsters. Each child was tested for a substance called
cotinine, which is a byproduct of nicotine that can be found in blood. Depending on the
percentage of the substance in the blood, researchers could tell the subject's amount of
secondhand smoke exposure. This study did not rely on anecdotal evidence of how much
parents smoked; a problem with some earlier studies. 33 million children are at risk for
reading problems caused by "environmental tobacco." authors added.
Smoking Gun for Low Test Scores
Researchers found that children who inhaled the least amount of secondhand smoke scored
about seven points higher in standardized reading and math tests, compared to those who
inhaled the most. Low exposure children also scored better on two different reasoning
tests. Researchers said the learning gaps were significant. Even after other
considerations, including other factors that might have influenced test scores, there was
still a wide gap between the test scores of the lowest and highest exposure groups.
Results
Researchers believe that these findings will give cities and even states more reason to
ban tobacco in public places. In addition, they contend that insurers will pay for
programs to help smokers quit.
Authors concluded that parents need to understand that smoking is not only harmful to
their health but also to their non-smoking children.
Findings of the study appear in the January, 2005 issue of Environmental Health
Perspectives.,
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