Costs were adjusted to 1993 U.S. dollars. Commentary The study by Aligne and Stoddard confronts us with the massive costs that are associated with childhood illness caused by parental smoking. Several target groups need to act on this data with the overall aim of preventing exposure of children to tobacco smoke. Physicians play a key role by informing their patients of the issues and by providing access to effective interventions. The recent compensation payments by tobacco companies to United States health agencies address the costs of smoking-related diseases in adults.
Opportunity clearly exists for similar compensation for children.
This study provides further evidence to clinicians that it is not possible to ignore the direct harm that passive smoking exposure causes children and the benefit that occurs after smoking cessation. Peter G. Gibson, MD John Hunter Hospital Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia References 1. Windsor RA, Lowe JB, Perkins LL, et al. Am J Public Health. The Cochrane Library.