| The more environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) male adolescents are exposed to, the greater the amount of lung damage they may experience. In a study of 80 healthy adolescent males (30 nonsmokers, 29 passive smokers, and 21 smokers), Milan researchers found a significant correlation between the level of ETS exposure and the degree of lung function impairment. ETS caused the most damage in the lungs of smokers, followed by passive smokers. Furthermore, passive smokers with in utero exposure to ETS had significantly lower lung function scores than passive smokers whose mothers quit smoking while pregnant. These findings indicate that both current and in utero exposure to ETS are independently harmful. The study appears in the April 2004 issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. To view the article, click on the following link http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/125/4/1387. |
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