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Excerpts from: Passive smoke cuts child's vitamin C

By Michael Bradley Sydney Morning Herald http://www.smh.com.au [12/28/02]
 
Children exposed to minimal levels of passive smoking have between 3 per cent and 8 per cent less vitamin C in their blood than children living in smoke-free environments, a study has found.
The study, to appear in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition next month, compares the vitamin C levels of more than 500 children aged between two and 12. Half of the children had parents who smoked, the others came from tobacco-free households. . .

The researchers described the decreased vitamin C levels as highly significant and said the reduction occurred even with very low exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Vitamin C deficiencies inhibit the body's ability to fight infection. The researchers, from the University of Puerto Rico, suggest children exposed to passive smoking should take vitamin C supplements.