Second-hand Smoking on the Rise for Children as Medical Marijuana Use Increases in Homes

Lighting Joint” by Heath Alseike licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: Reuters

According to a new data analysis, the number of parents who smoke cannabis in their home, around their children, has increased considerably from 2002 to 2015. Researchers found that the percentage of parents smoking around their children increased from 4.9 percent to 6.8 percent between 2002 to 2015. Additionally, the number of total cannabis smokers increased from 11 percent to more than 17 percent during the study period.

The increase in smoking of cannabis could be exacerbating children’s exposure to second-hand smoking, according to researchers.

Because marijuana is now legal in many states, health experts are concerned that smokers may not realize the impact of second-hand smoking on children and others living in their household.

Researchers said that not enough public education is available on the negative impacts of cannabis second-hand smoke.

Read Full Story: Reuters

Children & Families, Health, News
Children & Families, Health, News