title: Smoking and the young.
abstract: Over one quarter of the risk of death due to the sudden infant death syndrome (cot death) is attributable to maternal smoking. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and infancy is one of the most important avoidable risk factors for infant death. Nicotine is a drug of addiction. Many young smokers are addicted to nicotine and develop withdrawal symptoms on stopping. Smoking is an important marker for other types of drug abuse, e.g. alcohol, cannabis and cocaine. The earlier children start smoking, the greater the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Smoking affects immunity and has been associated with an increased risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Young
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D006801:Humans; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution