CHILDREN from homes where ¬family members smoke take more time off school due to effects of passive smoking, a research has revealed.
A study on a cross-section of schools has showed that some of these children were up to four times more likely to miss classes as a result of respiratory illness than those' from smoke-free
homes.     
The spontaneous research was carried out after the British Medical JOURNAL(BMJ) published a controversia1 paper questioning the risks of passive smoking.

Anti-smoking groups reacted angrily to the BMJ publication partly funded by the tobacco industry - which suggested that the link with the disease and lung cancer was considerably weaker than thought. Nairobi-based pediatrician Dr Eustace Karo, however, agrees with the publications sentiments, stating that research conducted by the action on smoking and Health has proved beyond doubt that passive smoking is a health risk to humans, more so children. Noting that good health is relative to prosperity and development. Karo states that passive smoking retards the social as well as physical development of children. "It is no surprise at all that passive smoking affects not only the children's health, but their devel¬opment as well," he adds. Around 15,000 children in Kenya are hospitalized every year with respiratory problems caused by passive smoking.

Most children, says Karo, ac¬quire glue ear or respiratory problems as a direct result of passive smoking. Although research has not factually established the effect on the education of the children, Karo says the number of children coming for treatment due to res¬piratory problems is alarming. Most children are brought in by their parents during school days for treatment, which is a clear indication that their education status is suffering. Some, he says have to stay for days at home resting or taking medicine as part of their treatment and state of suffering, while their colleagues are learning in school. Research carried out on about 2,000 Class Four children questioned them on whether their parents or other family members smoked. Records were examined to screen which children had missed school with chest problems in the previous six months.

Results published in an Ameri¬can journal state that children from smoking homes were at least 27 percent more likely to have been often sick. The report further reveals that the risk rose considerably if there was more than one smoker in the family.
Some, he says have to stay for days at home resting or taking medicine as part of their treat¬ment, while their colleagues are learning in school.
Research carried out on about 2,000 Class Four children ques¬tioned them on whether their parents or other family members smoked.


Records were examined to screen which children had missed school with chest prob¬lems in the previous six months.
Results published in an American journal state that children from smoking homes were at least 27 percent more likely to have been off sick. The report further reveals that the risk rose considerably if there was more than one smoker in the family.
This is irresponsible behavior of another person who he happens to share a compound or flat with? This gives all the reasons why smoking, if it has to be done at all, should be done in areas set aside for it and banned firmly from public