Data show parents may be unaware of third-hand smoke health risks

MedPage Today (12/30, Smith) reported, "Now that the risks of second-hand smoke to children have gained credibility, new concerns have arisen about 'third-hand smoke' -- the toxins left on surfaces once tobacco smoke dissipates." According to their paper appearing in the January issue of Pediatrics, researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children surveyed "1,478 adults...by telephone in November 2005," and found that "93 percent of the respondents thought that second-hand smoke was dangerous to children's health, including 95.4 percent of nonsmokers and 84.1 percent of smokers." But just "61 percent thought that third-hand smoke was hazardous, including 65.2 percent of non-smokers and 43.3 percent of smokers." Noting that "such toxins are especially hazardous for children who breathe near the surfaces, crawl and play on them, or touch and mouth them," the authors concluded that clinicians should emphasize "that third-hand smoke harms the health of children may be an important element in encouraging home smoking bans."