Children at risk
We need to spread awareness, says Dr S N Mothi
We need to spread awareness, says Dr S N Mothi
Times of India Bangalore, May 30, 2009
There are three concerns of the effects of smoking on children from a pediatrician's point of view. The first is the impact on the foetus,when a pregnant woman smokes. Though one may argue that women here do not smoke as much as their Western counterparts,pregnant women smoking still remains a cause for worry. Babies who are born to such mothers are prone to be born below the normal weight. Cigarette smoking significantly affects a baby's weight because of a less resistant body.
There are three concerns of the effects of smoking on children from a pediatrician's point of view. The first is the impact on the foetus,when a pregnant woman smokes. Though one may argue that women here do not smoke as much as their Western counterparts,pregnant women smoking still remains a cause for worry. Babies who are born to such mothers are prone to be born below the normal weight. Cigarette smoking significantly affects a baby's weight because of a less resistant body.
Another effect on children is the high rate of sudden infant death syndrome. Babies of mothers who smoke are at a greater risk of suffering from learning disabilities and cerebral palsy. Severe growth retardation and foetal loss can occur too.
Chewing of tobacco is also equally detrimental. Most pregnant women do not realise this.
Leads to asthma
Leads to asthma
The second aspect is the effect of passive smoking on infants and children. Children belong to a high risk group as they are exposed to passive smoking. It is dangerous as it affects the respiratory tract. Passive smoking is one of the leading causes of new asthma cases and other respiratory complications among children every year.
Risk of picking up habit
The third concern is children taking to smoking themselves.A permissive and liberal attitude of parents results in children trying out smoking. Curiosity makes them experiment. In a recent finding, it was revealed that less than 50 percent of school children were aware of the close association of tobacco and cancer. Thus, there is a need for meaningful awareness programmes.
The third concern is children taking to smoking themselves.A permissive and liberal attitude of parents results in children trying out smoking. Curiosity makes them experiment. In a recent finding, it was revealed that less than 50 percent of school children were aware of the close association of tobacco and cancer. Thus, there is a need for meaningful awareness programmes.
Need for awareness
There is a need to create a firm resolve among parents to quit smoking. Going with this year's theme, 'Tobacco Health Warnings',the aim should be to create more hard-hitting messages and show pictures of the effects of smoking to make a greater impact. There is a need for more campaigns against smoking.
(The author is a pediatrician)
There is a need to create a firm resolve among parents to quit smoking. Going with this year's theme, 'Tobacco Health Warnings',the aim should be to create more hard-hitting messages and show pictures of the effects of smoking to make a greater impact. There is a need for more campaigns against smoking.
(The author is a pediatrician)
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