Reducing the incidence of second-hand smoke in American homes has reduced the incidence of otitis media in children, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (USA).

The prevalence of ear infections in American children declined with the introduction of an anti-smoking policy in the country's homes. According to pediatricians, if parents refrain from smoking in the house, they can protect their children from ear diseases, the most common cause of medical care in childhood.

Passive smoking, when a non-smoker inhales smoke from a burning cigarette in combination with smoke exhaled by a smoker, increases the level of unhealthy particles in the air, including nicotine and other toxins.

It is proven that passive smoking in childhood develops otitis media, which is the leading reason for visiting a hospital among children in the US, with annual estimates of the economic burden of 3-5 billion. Dollars. It was noted that voluntary quitting at home among American families almost doubled from 45% in 1993 to 86% by 2006, most likely due to increased awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke and a reduction in the number of smokers.

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