Smoking remains the most prominent cause
of lung disease. Children from homes with
smokers are more likely to have respiratory illnesses
than those not exposed to tobacco
smoke at home.Smoking in childhood and
adolescence affects growth of lung function.
Gold et al clearly demonstrated this in the US
Six Cities Study where a relatively modest
amount of tobacco led to marked reductions in
growth of lung function, particularly in teenage
girls who in most western countries seem to
constitute a group at high risk of persistent
smoking. There is no doubt that there is a
socioeconomic gradient in smoking behaviour
and that this gradient is increasing. A higher success rate in quitting is also associated with
higher social class