SHS makes teens addicts

Research shows that exposure to second hand smoke from cigarettes can make children aged 11-15 years old who don't smoke into nicotine addicts if they are exposed to smokers.

Jennifer J. McGrath, senior author of the study, explained the findings of their study in a press release as that "Children exposed to the same amounts of secondhand smoke as adults absorb higher doses of nicotine.” She adds that “Early findings suggest that secondhand smoke exposure could possibly trigger addiction in the brain – before kids actually start smoking themselves."

This should serve as a wake up call to parents and other adults who deal with children.

Aside from the physical addiction, the social aspect also affects the teens' behavior. McGrath's co-author Simon Racicot explained "Preteens who were surrounded by more smokers believed that there are greater advantages to smoking," and they don't see it as unhealthy behavior. He spells it out: “Smoking by parents, siblings, and friends increases risk factors for later smoking."

According to the researchers, it is one of the first studies that clearly shows how teens who don't smoke experience nicotine dependence symptoms, including craving for cigarettes. They studied 327 sixth and seventh graders enrolled in French-language public schools in Montreal.

The researchers suggest that prevention efforts must be undertaken targeting young teenagers that are exposed to secondhand smoke. They also point out the need for the general public to be educated on how smoking around youth can make the dangerous habit appear normal.”

The research, "An Investigation of Social and Pharmacological Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke as Possible Predictors of Perceived Nicotine Dependence, Smoking Susceptibility, and Smoking Expectancies Among Never-Smoking Youth," was published in the Nicotine & Tobacco Research  journal.