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ARTICLES: Katariina Kallio, Eero Jokinen, Mauri Hämäläinen, Maiju Saarinen, Iina Volanen, Tuuli Kaitosaari, Jorma Viikari, Tapani Rönnemaa, Olli Simell, and Olli T. Raitakari Decreased Aortic Elasticity in Healthy 11-Year-Old Children Exposed to Tobacco Smoke Pediatrics 2009; 123: e267-e273 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Support to ban smoking inside the vehicles

Ediriweera Desapriya, Ian Pike   (24 February 2009)

Support to ban smoking inside the vehicles 24 February 2009
Ediriweera Desapriya, Research Associate Centre for Community Child Health Research, Ian Pike Send letter to journal: Re: Support to ban smoking inside the vehicles edesap{at}cw.bc.ca Ediriweera Desapriya, et al.	Kallio et al (2009) (1) study adds to the mounting evidence of the cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke, this time in healthy young children. Strengths of this study is that they used three indices to assess the mechanical properties of elastic arteries and all were found to be associated with cotinine levels. This data on children add to the mounting evidence to fight for smoke-free environments worldwide. Children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is unacceptably high; almost 40% (over 20 million) of children in the United States are regularly exposed to ETS. (2) Pediatricians have a unique and important role to play in the prevention of childhood and adolescent tobacco use, the protection of patients from the harmful effects of ETS, and the encouragement of smoking cessation among parents. The internal environment of a car is a potential site for significant second hand smoke exposure to children and adult non smoking women. People in the majority of motorized countries and rapidly motorizing countries spend considerable time in cars. Extensive scientific literature shows that passive smoking in a confined space such as inside the car is particularly harmful. (3, 4)Further studies demonstrate that the concentration of toxins in a smoke-filled car is 23 times greater than a smoky bar. (3, 4) A recent review defines the substantial pediatric morbidity from passive smoke exposure, including health effects on the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and the fetus and newborn (1, 2, 3). Primary prevention is the most effective strategy to decrease the prevalence of smoking. The only effective way to reduce tobacco smoke exposure in cars is to bring effective global legislation that completely bans smoking inside cars. Pediatricians have been called on to play an active role to support enactment of these laws globally, prohibiting smoking inside the cars especially when transporting our vulnerable children and non smoking pregnant women. REFERENCES 1. Kallio K, Jokinen E, Hämäläinen M, Saarinen M, Volanen I, Kaitosaari T, Viikari J, Rönnemaa T, Simell O, Raitakari OT. Decreased aortic elasticity in healthy 11-year-old children exposed to tobacco smoke. Pediatrics. 2009;123(2):e267-73. 2. Emmons KM, Wong M, Hammond SK, Velicer WF, Fava JL, Monroe AD, Evans JL. Intervention and policy issues related to children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Prev Med. 2001;32(4):321-31. 3. Edwards R, Wilson N, Pierse N. Highly hazardous air quality associated with smoking in cars: New Zealand pilot study. N Z Med J. 2006; 119:U2294 4. Rees VW, Connolly GN. Measuring air quality to protect children from secondhand smoke in cars. Am J Prev Med. 2006; 31:363–8 5. Stein RJ, Haddock CK, O'Byrne KK, Hymowitz N, Schwab J. The pediatrician's role in reducing tobacco exposure in children.Pediatrics. 2000;106(5):E66. Conflict of Interest: None declared