[Effects of active and passive smoking on the health of children and adolescents].

Tobacco abuse is especially a public health problem among children and teenagers in Germany. While the proportion of adolescents smoking regularly was 18% in 1997, this has increased to more than 30% in 2001. The high impact of peer groups in young people aggravates the development of smoking habits. Furthermore, an addiction to nicotine develops mainly before the age of 20 (80% of all adults smokers have started as teenagers). Early and continued damage to health will result in long-term sequelae due to immaturity of the organs. Fortunately, the proportion of smoking adolescents has decreased in the last few years. Besides the well known effects of active smoking, children are especially endangered by environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy is directly correlated to premature rupture of the membranes, premature birth, delayed foetal development, and reduced lung function. Children are suffering from impairments of their health not only due to ETS exposure in utero but also after birth (e. g., diseases of upper and lower airways, delayed physical and mental development). Therefore, the prevention of active and passive smoking must be intensified and should consider the special situation of children and adolescents.