Secondhand Smoke Causes Over 8 Million Healthy Life Days Lost Among Children Annually
Secondhand Smoke Causes Over 8 Million Healthy Life Days Lost Among Children Annually
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A new global study has found that exposure to secondhand smoke leads to the loss of approximately 8.45 million healthy life days among children each year. Children in low socio-economic regions bear the heaviest burden of these preventable health effects, according to the research.
The measure, known as “days of healthy life lost,” quantifies the burden of illness or disability on a child. Each lost day represents time spent with illness, pain, or disability, or a reduction in life expectancy due to premature death caused by disease.
The findings were presented by Dr. Sayo Dai, an assistant professor at Hangzhou Normal University’s Clinical Medicine School, during the European Respiratory Society conference in Amsterdam. She emphasized that secondhand smoke is a major contributor to preventable illnesses and deaths among children, with no safe level of exposure.
Dr. Dai explained that exposure to secondhand smoke is linked to lower respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, neurological development issues, and worsening asthma symptoms. Young children are especially vulnerable due to their underdeveloped lungs and limited ability to control their environments.
This study is the first worldwide analysis to examine the impact of secondhand smoke on children under 14. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease study, the researchers employed Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) to estimate the total health burden. In 2021 alone, secondhand smoke accounted for 3.79 million DALYs from lower respiratory infections, 0.80 million from ear infections, and 3.86 million from chest infections and tuberculosis in children globally.
The research highlighted stark disparities between high- and low-income regions. Children in poorer areas experienced significantly higher rates, reaching 302.43 per 100,000 compared to just 7.64 per 100,000 in wealthier regions. Dr. Dai attributed this gap to factors such as overcrowded housing, poor ventilation, lower public awareness, and weaker tobacco control policies.
Dr. Philippos Philipides, chair of the European Respiratory Society’s Tobacco Control Committee, called the study a wake-up call, stressing the urgent need to protect children through stronger laws limiting smoking in homes, schools, and other environments where children live or learn.
