Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Second-hand smoke linked to dementia, study reveals
Friday, 13 February 2009
Exposure to second-hand smoke could increase the risk of developing dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment, according to new shock research published today.
The research, published by the British Medical Journal, highlighted a 44% increase in risk of cognitive impairment when exposed to high levels of second-hand smoke.
Previous research has highlighted the increased risk of dementia to active smokers, but this is the first time a link has been made |between second-hand smoke |exposure and development of |dementia and other neurological problems in elderly non-smokers.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention at the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), said: “This research adds further evidence to the already large volume of research into the damage caused to non-smokers by second-hand smoke.”
Mr McElwee said the report consolidates UCF's campaign to extend smokefree provision to protect people from second-hand smoke in public areas.
The research, carried out by Dr David Llewellyn and his colleagues at Cambridge University, measured levels of cotinine — a by-product of nicotine — in saliva samples of nearly 5,000 non-smoking adults over the age of 50, to ascertain levels of exposure to second-hand smoke.
Conducting a range of neuro-psychological tests, they were able to assess aspects of brain function including verbal memory and fluency, and numerical calculations.
These results were added |together to provide a global score for cognitive function.
Those whose scores were in the lowest 10% were identified as suffering from cognitive impairment.
From their results, Dr Llewellyn and his team concluded exposure to second-hand smoke may be linked to an increased chance of developing dementia and other cognitive impairments.
There are believed to be a number of explanations for this, |including the fact that passive smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke — both of which are known to increase the likelihood of neurological problems like dementia.
Dr Llewellyn said: “Our results suggest that inhaling other people's smoke may damage the brain, impair cognitive functions such as memory, and make dementia more likely.
“Given that passive smoking is also linked to other serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke, smokers should avoid lighting up near non-smokers.”
The results join previous |research showing exposure to second-hand smoke can impair cognitive development in children and adolescents and a highly publicised anti-smoking campaign by the Health Promotion Agency.
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: “Previous research shows that smoking increases our risk of developing dementia, and this new study reveals that this danger exists even when the smoke is second-hand.
“Everyone can lower their risk of disease by stopping smoking, eating healthily and exercising.”
- Text Size
It isn't laughable, and none of the studies finding links between secondhand smoke and ill health have been debunked at all. Not that I need such research anyway - I grew up with chainsmoker parents and I've always been sickly and continue to have problems afterward. When I was younger, I had constant respiratory problems, sinus and ear infections, bronchial inflammation, and allergic reactions to just about any kind of particulate matter. As for the tobacco smoke exposure itself? It nauseated me and caused severe sinus headaches. I never acclimated to it, and was never able to brush off its effects. Presently I continue to have issues with sinus headaches and bronchial inflammation.
Naturally both of my parents have developed COPD and emphaysema. My mother's COPD is especially severe and she now depends upon extra oxygen 24/7, no matter what. It should be noted, since some people are incapable of accepting the obvious, that doctors have blamed the smoking.
Posted by Juliana | 14.02.09, 20:27 GMT
What a load of rubbish this report is! Nicotine is one of the best defenses against Alzheimer's Disease. It has been scientifically shown to be effective. So how come this latest research study's findings point to the contrary?
The simple scientific fact is if you want to reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer's etc then continue to smoke or use nicotine replacement therapy.
Of course such scientific findings are always overlooked by the anti-smoking fascists who also forget it's us smokers who keep their taxes lower. So put that in your pipe Gerry MacElwee and smoke it!
Posted by Tictoc | 13.02.09, 10:24 GMT
What complete nonsense.
There is also a lot of evidence to show that Smoking reduces the effect of Dementia.
The other way of reading this report is to say that non smokers are more likely to get Dementia than Smokers - and, as non smokers, they are the ones who notice '2nd hand' smoke - even though its irrelevant to the end result!
Look up the work of the Parkinson’s Institute, Sunnyvale, CA
Posted by F0ul | 13.02.09, 10:01 GMT
More 'maybe, could be' inconclusive research. Is it not time that this type of propaganda is given the heave ho?
Dementia and many of the other diseases linked through this type of 'medical research' are also causally linked on a hereditary basis, so stating that second hand smoke causes these things is highly misleading.
Most of the 'large volumes' of other research into the effects of second hand smoking has been debunked at various points in the last 20 years, so I will be taking this most recent study with a pinch of salt.
Laughable.
Posted by John | 13.02.09, 09:43 GMT