In a study published in the April issue of the journal 'Pediatrics', the authors say millions of American children fall ill each year from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, and there are no regulations to protect them.

 The study, which analyses results from 119 studies conducted since 1965 that deal with tobacco smoke and pediatric diseases, found that at least 284 children die each year from lung disease and fires initiated by smoking materials, and 300 more were injured by fires. According to the study another 307,000 cases of asthma among children under 15 are attributable to household smoking.

 Other smoking-related illnesses include some 350,000 ear infections and 5,200 operations to insert tubes in ears of children, 14,000 operations to remove tonsils and adenoids and 1.3 million visits for coughs.

HASSELA NORDIC NETWORK - Press release 09/04/96