EFFECTS OD SECONDHAND SMOKE INHALATION IN EARLY LIFE

INTRODUCTION
Secondhand smoke inhalation or secondhand smoking (SHS) causes a wide range of
diseases, which include heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses.
Children are one of the ones that are more vulnerable to secondhand smoke (SHS)
exposure because of limited control over their indoor environment and developing
sytems, majority of the exposure happens at their homes or neighborhood.

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief moments around
secondhand smoke can cause harm to a person’s health. And the possibility of
contracting health problems increases with more exposure. Most of the time, non-
smokers are never aware that they’re inhaling tobacco smoke floating in the air
because they’re too confident about their not smoking. But cigarette smoke and other
smoke and harmful gases are in the air, air pollution has been increasing for years,
and exposure to everyone, smokers or not, can cause various health problems not just
to young people, but also the elderly and normal adults.

RESEARCH GAP
There are already various researches that span on years on the effects of secondhand
smoke (SHS) inhalation in early life. But there are still gaps on the full scope of its
impact on some areas. These include:

● Long-term Health Effects. Such as the need for more long-term studies to
understand how exactly early-life exposure can contribute to chronic diseases
in adulthood.

● Neurodevelopmental Effects. Emerging researches suggests that SHS

exposure during pregnancy and early childhood may have adverse effects on
neurodevelopment, potentially increasing the risk of cognitive and behavioral
problems. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms
and long-term consequences.

● Epigenetic Changes. Investigating epigenetic changes resulting from SHS

exposure in early life could provide insights into how these exposures may
affect gene regulation and contribute to health outcomes later in life.

● Biomarkers. Identifying specific biomarkers associated with SHS exposure in

early life could help in early detection and monitoring of health effects. More
research is needed to establish reliable biomarkers for such exposure.

● Health Disparities. Research should focus on understanding how SHS

exposure disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including low-
income communities and certain racial and ethnic groups, and how these
disparities can be mitigated.
 ● Policy Evaluation. Assessing the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing
SHS exposure in early life, such as smoke-free legislation and public health
campaigns, can help refine and strengthen public health efforts.

● Cumulative Exposure. Research should explore the cumulative effects of

SHS exposure throughout childhood, taking into account exposure levels,
duration, and timing to provide a more comprehensive understanding of its
impact on health.

● Intervention Strategies. Identifying effective interventions to reduce SHS

exposure in early life, especially within households where smoking occurs, is
crucial for protecting children's health.

● Multi-generational Effects. Investigating how SHS exposure in one

generation may impact the health of future generations could uncover
intergenerational health risks.

● Socioeconomic Factors. Examining the role of socioeconomic factors in SHS

exposure and its health effects can help tailor interventions and policies to
address disparities in exposure and health outcomes.

Closing these research gaps can enhance our understanding of the health risks
associated with SHS exposure in early life and inform strategies to protect children
from these risks. Additionally, continued public health efforts to reduce smoking rates
and SHS exposure can contribute to improved child health outcomes.

REASON WHY YOU PICKED THIS TOPIC

The reason why we picked this topic is because studying the effects of secondhand
smoking is not only a matter of scientific inquiry, but it is also a critical public health
priority. Studying this topic can help protect children’s health, inform public policy,
promote ethical considerations, and reduce the overall societal burden of SHS-related
illnesses in the most vulnerable population group - the children.

Given the increasing use of cigarette among this age group, understanding the effects
of secondhand smoke inhalation in early ages is critical for developing effective
prevention and intervention strategies. Identifying specific biomarkers associated with
secondhand smoking in early life could also help in early detection and monitoring of
health effects. It will also shed light on the potential Long- term health effects and the
health disparities to inform the development of evidence-based guidelines for
promoting health among this population. As a result, this study contributes to the
overall health and wellness of the populace.