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Children's Exposure To Secondhand Smoke

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital are looking at using a test to measure children's exposure to tobacco smoke. This is why it is important.

We know that children can be exposed to cigarette smoke at home, in the car, or anywhere else in their daily lives. Almost 500 smoking and non-smoking parents were asked if the test could be used on their children. Six out of ten parents thought that children should be tested for exposure to cigarette smoke during their doctor's visit.

The test is important because many parents who are smokers believe that they can protect their children from second hand smoke and they are often shocked when they see the damage that can occur by just exposing their kids to the smoke.

The hope is that the parents might quit -- or at the very least smoke outdoors and away from the family.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor

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