Second-Hand Smoke Damages Kids' Arteries


New research has found that children exposed to second-hand smoke experience aging of their arteries by 3.3 years by the time they reach adulthood. The passive smoke causes irreversible damage to their arteries and as a result, significantly increases their risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) later in life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in addition to the 6 million people who die each year from their own smoking, another 600,000 die as a result of second-hand smoke. Moreover, approximately 40 percent of children are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke at home. If you’re a smoker and have yet to kick the habit, especially if you’re a parent, it's time.