CSU 42/2008: PATERNAL SMOKING AND CHILD MORTALITY

Wednesday, 22nd of October 2008

CSU 42/2008: PATERNAL SMOKING AND CHILD MORTALITY

Child Survival Update 42/2008: Paternal Smoking and Infant and Under-Five Mortality in Indonesia

Those who think that smoking is a problem of adolescents and adults should read this article by Semba and colleagues, available at http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/full/98/10/1824

From their conclusions: 'Paternal smoking diverts money from basic necessities to cigarettes and adversely affects child health; tobacco control should therefore be considered among strategies to improve child survival.'

Can any reader tell me why higher excise taxes, which both increase government revenue and reduce smoking, are so rarely in effect in cash strapped developing countries?

Good reading.

Bob Davis