Kids miss more school because of being sick if they’re from a house with smokers, according to a new study.
Usually the culprit is inner ear infection and chest colds:
They found children living with one or more smokers in the home missed one to two more days of school per year on average, than those who lived with non-smokers. The research suggests that families could reduce absenteeism by 24 to 34 % if smoking was eliminated from their households.
According to the study, about one third of children in the United States live with a smoker. Among children aged 3 to 11, at least 56% have detectable levels of a chemical called serum cotinine, an indication of tobacco smoke exposure. Cotinine is a breakdown of nicotine and can be measured by analyzing levels in the blood, urine or saliva. Researchers say this establishes a link between household smoking and two specific respiratory illnesses.
The craziest part is the stats on how much extra money is spent because of these illnesses:
“When kids are home from school, particularly young kids, the cost overall is $227 million dollars per year. All due to the extra days that we see kids missing school because of secondhand smoke exposure.”
Ugh, that’s so much money!!
There are NO benefits to smoking, especially for those who don’t have a choice in which household they’re a part of! If you don’t give a shizz about your own health, give one for your kids.
[Image via AP Images.]
