Secondhand smoke hits almost half of teens who don't smoke
CHICAGO (AP) — A new study finds that even though fewer U.S. teens are smoking, secondhand smoke remains a big problem for them.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say nearly half of nonsmoking kids in middle school and high school encountered secondhand tobacco smoke in 2013, and rates were even higher among smokers.
Lead researcher Israel Agaku says, "These findings are concerning because the U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure."
Earlier studies on teens and secondhand smoke in specific places, such as cars or indoors, indicate that the problem has declined in recent years but the new research suggests it's still affecting millions of kids.
Secondhand smoke has been linked with several illnesses in children, including breathing problems, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. In adults, it has been linked with heart disease and lung cancer.
Researchers say the study results show efforts are needed to expand smoke-free zones.
The study online in Monday's edition of the journal Pediatrics.
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