Cannabis use has increased among parents with children at home The study shows that a combination of cigarette and marijuana use can increase children’s exposure to secondhand smoke Date: Source: May 14, 2018: Summary: According to a new study, cannabis use increased among parents who smoke cigarettes and among non-smoking parents. Cannabis use is almost four times more common among cigarette smokers than among non-smokers. Little is known about current trends in cannabis use among parents with children in the home, the prevalence of exposure to both tobacco and cannabis, and which populations are most at risk. “While significant progress has been made in reducing children’s exposure to secondhand smoke, these efforts can be offset by increased cannabis use among parents of children living at home,” said Dr. Rene Goodwin, a graduate student of the Department of Epidemiology at Mailman School of Public Health and the author. Cannabis use has increased among both smoking and non-smoking parents, according to a recent study by researchers at Columbia and New York University’s Mailman School of Public Health. “Cannabis use by parents with children at home: The study concluded that a combination of cigarette and marijuana use can increase children’s exposure to secondhand smoke. “ScienceDaily. Analysis of data from the 2002-2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that cannabis use among parents with children at home increased from 5% in 2002 to 7% in 2015, and cigarette use fell from 28% to 20% in recent months. Cannabis use increased among parents with children at home: research shows that a combination of cigarette and marijuana use can increase children’s exposure to secondhand smoke. “Our study confirms the overall public health benefits of reducing the impact of secondhand smoke on children, as well as other health concerns associated with exposure to secondhand smoke on children and especially the high risk of combined exposure in certain sub-populations,” said Goodwin. Therefore, increased cannabis use can undermine progress made in reducing the harmful effects of secondhand smoke,” said Goodwin, who also works for the CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy. Little is known about current trends in parental use of cannabis with children at home, the prevalence of both tobacco and cannabis exposure, and which populations are most at risk. Co-authors: Melanie Wall, Deborah Hasin, and Samantha Santoscou of the Postman’s School of Public Health; Keeley Cheslak-Postawa of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Nina Bakoyannis of CUNY; and Bradley Collins and Stephen Lepore of Temple University. Trends in Cannabis and Cigarettes Use by Parents with Children at Home: 2002-2015 “Efforts to reduce the burden of secondhand smoke by quitting can be thwarted by increased cannabis use,” says Goodwin. “While cigarette or cannabis use has declined in homes with children, the percentage of homes with both types of drugs has increased.
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