Cigarettes Dangerous Even at Lowest Detectable Levels
CIGARETTE SMOKE RISKY AT LOWEST-POSSIBLE DETECTABLE LEVELS:
A study ascertained that even a small amount of second-hand smoke, let alone a habit of only “few cigarettes a week,” can put people at risk for future lung disease, such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Many past studies have found that second-hand smoke is a health risk but this is the first study to conclude that cigarette smoke – even at the very lowest levels of detection – has a direct effect on the functioning of genes within the cells lining the airways. Some of these genes are very sensitive to tobacco smoke and changes within them are the first indication of “biological disease” of the lungs.
Researchers divided people into three groups: nonsmokers, smokers and low-exposure smokers.
They then scanned the entire genome of each participant to see what genes were activated or deactivated in airway cells. The study found that there was no level of nicotine or cotinine that was so low that it did not correlate to genetic abnormalities.
The author suggested that any degree of public smoking can cause future lung disease; and that this supports public smoking bans.
This study was released August 21, 2010 but will not be published until a future issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Second Hand Smoke Increases Risk of Psychological Disorders
A study has found that exposure to second hand smoke causes more than physical health problems. It leads to psychological distress and raises the risk of future mental illness among otherwise healthy adults.
Nonsmokers exposed to second hand smoke showed a 50 percent greater likelihood of reporting psychological distress.
Smokers were also found to be at risk and both smokers and nonsmokers exposed to frequent second hand smoke showed a higher psychiatric hospital admission rate, in addition to greater distress and psychological problems. Animal studies have previously shown that smoke can raise negativity and is a cause of depression, which is in keeping with the conclusions of this study.
The new study was published online on June 7, 2010, ahead of print publication in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The full-text version of this study has been made available by the journal at: http://bit.ly/dt4Eun.