In a study that compared participants’ airway epithelial cells, which are essential to breathing, US researchers found that even occasional smoking as well as secondhand smoke exposure can damage lung function at a genetic level, thus increasing the risks of future lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer.

Dr. Ronald Crystal and colleagues at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, USA, sampled 121 participants in groups of nonsmokers, active smokers and low-exposure smokers.

In summarizing their findings, Dr. Crystal said, "There is no level of cigarette smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke that does not make the cells in your lungs sick.

Even at the lowest detectable levels of exposure, we found direct effects on the functioning of genes within the cells lining the airways."

Our appreciation Dr. Crystal and colleagues for this significant discovery of irreparable lung damage that can occur in even infrequent and secondhand smoke situations.

May such facts encourage many more leaders and individuals to help one another in halting this harmful habit for the health and benefit of the entire society.

http://www.presstv.com/detail/139552.html
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/20/secondhand-smoke-occasional-cigarettes-do-harm/
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1020/cigarette-smoke-harms-lung-genes-even-low-levels