NEW research shows passive smoking may cause DNA damage leading to reproductive problems and birth defects, and almost doubles the risk of teenage hearing loss.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In light of the findings, health and child welfare organisations have stepped up their call for all state and local governments to make crowded public places 100 per cent smoke free.
Exposure to side-stream tobacco smoke can cause generic damage to sperm cells that leads to birth defects, miscarriages or other reproductive problems, making it difficult to father a healthy child, according to a study from Sheffield University in the UK.
Researchers fear similar DNA changes in boys or men exposed regularly to second-hand smoke could lead to reproductive problems such as infertility or a higher risk of fathering children with congenital defects.
The health risks of second-hand smoke have been further highlighted in a separate study of more than 1500 US teenagers which found that smoke exposure in early childhood increases the risk of developing hearing problems.
Co-ordinator of Australia’s Protecting Children from Tobacco Coalition Stafford Sanders said detrimental effects of second-hand smoke on vulnerable children continue to be prevalent despite parent education.
“Some states are to be commended for legislating comprehensively to protect children from tobacco smoke,” she said.
“But parents and others concerned with child protection are losing patience with the continued preventable exposure of children in some jurisdictions’ alfresco dining areas, playgrounds, transport shelters, entertainment venues and other crowded public places.
“We urge all state governments to stand up to tobacco interests, to bring their smokefree public places legislation up to the best practice of leading states and to protect children and all people from second-hand smoke harm.”