Secondhand Smoke Linked to Sadness

A study being published in the Archives of General Psychiatry shows a definitive link between secondhand smoke and psychological stress.  As exposure to secondhand smoke elevates, so do instances of psychological problems and hospitalization. 

Research was completed by Mark Hamer and his colleagues of University College London.  For the study, the team questioned 5,560 smokers and 2,995 nonsmokers with an average age of mid-late 40s.  The questionnaire measured psychological stress among the participants; additionally, saliva samples were taken to determine whether their nicotine exposure was low, moderate, or high.

Hamer asserts that it’s possible the observed association between negative mood and secondhand smoke could actually be causal, as previous studies have shown that high doses of nicotine can cause sadness by interfering with the immune system and dopamine levels in the brain.  He also contends that further research is warranted regarding whether or not public smoke bans could lead to decreased hospitalization for psychological distress or depression.

A 2006 report determined that 60% of nonsmokers in the United States show biological signs of having ingested nicotine from cigarette smoke (US News and World Report).

The statistics regarding secondhand smoke have become more numerous in the last ten years, as specific studies have been dedicated to determining health risk associated with ingesting nicotine vicariously.

Here are some of the findings:

*Secondhand smoke claims 50,000 adult lives per year in the United States

*More than 40% of children admitted into emergency rooms with asthma live with a smoker

*46,000 nonsmokers who live with smokers die each year from heart disease.

A 2006 Surgeon General’s report maintains that no level of secondhand smoke exposure is safe (WebMd).