Passive smoking causes damage to memory: study

Dr Tom Heffernan and Dr Terence O8217;Neil,researchers at the Collaboration for Drug and Alcohol Research Group at Northumbria University,compared a group of current smokers with two groups of non-smokers,those who were regularly exposed to second-hand smoke and those who were not.

Others exposed to second-hand smoke either lived with smokers or spent time with smokers,for example in a designated 8220;smoking area,8221; and reported being exposed to second-hand smoke for an average of 25 hours a week for an average of four and a half years.

The three groups were tested on time-based memory remembering to carry out an activity after some time and event-based memory which refers to memory for future

intentions and activities.

Researchers found that the non-smokers who had been exposed to second-hand smoke forgot almost 20 per cent more in the memory tests than those non-smokers not exposed.

However,both groups out-performed the current smokers who forgot 30 per cent more than those who were not exposed to second-hand smoking.

8220;According to recent reports by the World Health Organization,exposure to second-hand smoke can have serious consequences on the health of people who have never smoked themselves,but who are exposed to other people8217;s tobacco smoke,8221; Heffernan said in a statement.

8220;Our findings suggest that the deficits associated with second-hand smoke exposure extend to everyday cognitive function. We hope our work will stimulate further research in the field in order to gain a better understanding of the links between exposure to second-hand smoke,health problems and everyday cognitive function,8221; he said.