Research Indicates Second Hand Smoke Triggers Asthma

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If you want to cut down the number of kids going to the hospital for asthma in this country, initiate smoking bans.

This is the news from the journal The Lancet.

Researchers looked at data from 11 studies in North America and Europe, involving more than 2.5 million births and almost a quarter million asthma episodes. What the researchers found was smoke-free workplaces and public space were associated with a 10.4% reduction in preterm births and 10.1% reduction in hospital visits for asthma.

This is dramatic and it clearly shows the role of second hand smoke and asthma in kids.