Secondhand smoke big asthma risk, Quit says

Secondhand cigarette smoke triggers an estimated 20,000 asthma attacks in New Zealand children every year, says a stop smoking group.

The Quit Group released statistics relating to secondhand cigarette smoke as part of its campaign starting yesterday.

More than 1000 heart attacks, 1000 cases of glue ear, and 500 strokes could be pinned to secondhand smoke, the group said.

Dr Peter Martin, medical adviser to the group, said these statistics would challenge the views of many sceptics.

"Each year hundreds of New Zealanders suffer serious ailments as a result of long-term exposure to secondhand smoke," he said.

"A surprisingly large number of deaths are also due to secondhand smoke - the evidence is overwhelming."

The campaign features two advertisements that the group ran during the build-up to World Smokefree Day on May 31.

"Recent findings showing the importance of secondhand smoke in causing a range of illnesses should serve as a wake-up call to people who are still sceptical of the dangers," Dr Martin said.

- NZPA

nzherald.co.nz/health