A new study by researchers in the U.K. has revealed that second hand smoke may significantly increase the risk of developing asthma for children. For the study the research team pooled data from 79 similar studies, finding that children exposed to pre or post-natal second hand smoke showed between and 21 and 80 percent increased risk of developing asthma.
Additionally, children exposed to second hand smoke showed between and 30 and 70 percent of developing a significant wheeze. According to the research team, this newly compiled data supports the previously held knowledge that exposing children to passive smoke either during or after birth can be extremely hazardous.
"Building upon previous findings, exposure to passive smoking increases the incidence of wheeze and asthma in children and young people by at least 20%. Preventing parental smoking is crucially important to the prevention of asthma," the researchers conclude.
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