KARACHI (Khyber Mail): A recent investigation by Aga Khan University’s Department of Community Health Sciences and Medicine has revealed a startling prevalence of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure among children in Pakistan and Bangladesh, with figures reaching 95%.
SHS is the involuntary inhalation of smoke from active smokers nearby, and it’s particularly concerning in areas with lax smoking regulations. The study, which took place in Dhaka and Karachi, found that nearly all children in Karachi (99.4%) were exposed to SHS, often in environments where smoking is culturally prevalent among men.
The research involved surveying 2,769 children aged 9-14 from 74 primary schools in the two cities, using saliva tests for cotinine to gauge SHS exposure. The results showed that children living with smokers or in homes where indoor smoking is allowed had higher SHS exposure levels.
Dr. Romaina Iqbal and Prof. Javaid Khan from Aga Khan University noted the stark contrast between these findings and the lower exposure rates in many developed nations. The harmful effects of SHS, including increased risks of respiratory infections and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), are well-documented, particularly for children with genetic disorders.
Prof. Rumana Huque of ARK Foundation, Bangladesh, and co-author of the study, emphasized the dire consequences if children remain unprotected from SHS, including health risks and potential impacts on academic performance and future smoking habits.
Prof. Kamran Siddiqi of the University of York, UK, and Chief Investigator, stressed the need for smoke-free environments at home and in public, alongside smoking bans and tobacco cessation support, to shield children from SHS.
The researchers advocate for a holistic strategy to safeguard children, combining household smoking restrictions and public smoking bans. This comprehensive approach aims to mitigate the significant health threats posed by SHS to the younger population.