Exposure to passive smoking can induce changes in children’s genes, similar to active smoke: Study

NEW DELHI: A second-hand or passive exposure to cigarette smoke could change how children’s genes express themselves, similar to that in active smokers, thereby making them more vulnerable to disease as adults, according to a study.

The findings, published in the journal Environment International, highlighted why children’s exposure to second-hand smoke needs to be reduced.

“Our study shows that second-hand smoke during childhood leaves its mark at the molecular level and can alter the expression of genes that influence disease susceptibility in adulthood”, first author Marta Cosin-Tomàs, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), said.

Source: PTI News

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