A new international study shows that many people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke experience significant respiratory symptoms.

Researchers in Sweden and colleagues in 13 European countries, Australia and New Zealand have been looking at the link between passive smoking and lung problems in a group of 7882 adults who never smoked.

They find that exposure to smoke is very common - but varies a lot depending upon the country. In Uppsala, Sweden, just two per cent of participants were exposed to smoke, compared with 53.8 per cent in Galdakao, Spain. Passive smoking was significantly associated with nocturnal chest tightness, nocturnal breathlessness, breathlessness after activity and increased bronchial responsiveness - a key symptom in asthma. And those who did have asthma were more likely to be exposed to passive smoking than those who didn't have asthma. The study strongly suggests that reducing smoking in public places would have a profound effect upon the respiratory health of the general population.

Source

Lancet December 22 2001