How to measure nicotine exposure in children?

Young children are addicted to the effects of tobacco smoke and other environmental toxicants are a major public health problem. Exposures to abstract electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), nicotine, and tobacco products among young children are increasing day by day. Approximately more than 2,500 teenagers start smoking every day and one-third of them will die prematurely of a smoking related disease.

Nicotine, found in e-cigarette vapours and tobacco products, is very addictive and increases a person’s risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. About 90% of all adult smokers started these habits when they were kids. To look cool, act older, lose weight, seem tough, or feel independent generally kids get attracted to these habits.

Risks:

·         Tobacco cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable deaths and can cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease.

·         E-cigarettes, vape pens, and hookahs (water pipes), are now become popular in recent years, are filled with tobacco, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals.

·         Chewing tobacco can lead to nicotine addiction, oral cancer, gum disease, and most important is it increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.

How to measure:

A group of researchers has observed and found silicone wristbands to be a compelling method to measure children's exposure to second hand smoke. The wristbands, which made of silicone and resemble the kind bearing motivational messages, were placed on three groups of kids isolated by exposure type.

•        Children exposed only to smokers
•        Children exposed to non-smokers and non-e-cigarette users
•        Children exposed only to e-cigarette users

After the seven days of research, the tests revealed that silicone wristbands may turn into a valuable device for epidemiology and intervention studies of tobacco product exposure in children and adults in the future.

Role of Parents:

Parents are always role models for kids. If you smoke, quit it. If you can’t, do not smoke in front of your children. Nicotine is addictive so, provide educational materials and help your child identify personally relevant reasons to quit.