Passive smoking worsens respiratory problems in adolescents

Adolescents regularly exposed to tobacco smoke in their environment develop more respiratory symptoms. A survey conducted among 2,885 students aged 12 to 15 in the township of Soshanguve, South Africa, reveals clear links between this exposure and conditions such as asthma, wheezing, or rhinitis.

The results show that young people exposed to smoke for more than 20 days a month in transportation have nearly twice the risk of experiencing wheezing at some point in their lives. Those exposed to smoke at home see their risk of current wheezing multiplied by more than two. Asthma is also more common among adolescents exposed to smoke at school for more than 20 days a month.

Rhinitis, which manifests as sneezing or a stuffy nose without an infectious cause, particularly affects young people whose mothers smoke. Prolonged exposure to smoke at home also increases this risk. Girls are also more likely to report wheezing or rhinitis symptoms than boys, a trend already observed in other studies.

Wheezing affects 34% of the adolescents surveyed, and 65% of these cases occurred in the past 12 months. Among those currently suffering from it, 62% have had between one and three attacks in the past year, and a quarter have their sleep disrupted at least once a week. Nasal problems, such as a runny nose or itchy eyes, affect nearly 80% of young people, with repercussions on their daily lives.

The survey also highlights that 46% of adolescents live in a household where at least one person smokes. Nearly 40% are exposed to smoke at school, and 35% in restaurants. Despite laws banning smoking in public places, enforcement remains insufficient, leaving young people vulnerable.

Researchers note that adolescents in disadvantaged communities, such as townships, are more exposed due to population density, air pollution, and weaker enforcement of regulations. Smoking habits often form at this age, further increasing the risks to respiratory health.

This study highlights the urgency of strengthening anti-smoking policies, particularly in spaces frequented by young people, to protect their health.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-02145-0

Title: Association between second-hand smoke exposure and respiratory symptoms among teenagers attending school in Soshanguve, South Africa

Journal: Discover Public Health

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Sinenhlanhla Noluthando Makhoba; Mandla Bhuda; Joyce Shirinde