In a presentation at the American Urological Association Annual Meeting, physicians from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital showed more evidence that second-hand cigarette smoke is an environmental toxin and dangerous to children’s health
“Our research shows that exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke increases the risk of severe urinary disorders in children that may otherwise be reduced or even prevented,” said Joseph G. Barone, MD, an expert pediatric urologist, Associate Professor of Surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Surgeon-In-Chief of Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. “Our results emphasize the importance of smoking cessation for parents. Pediatricians and family physicians are urged to discuss with parents opportunities that are available to quit smoking.”
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that parents are responsible for 90 percent of their children’s exposure to environmental (second-hand) tobacco smoke.
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