Indoor cannabis smoke and children's health

Abstract

Cannabis use is increasing and cannabis is typically consumed by smoking. This study explored how indoor secondhand cannabis smoke (SCS) was associated with child health. As part of a larger trial, air particle monitors were placed in 298 homes of families with at least one cigarette smoker and one child under 14 years old in San Diego County, California. Assessment included past 7-day indoor cigarette and cannabis use, the youngest child's exposure to cigarette smoke, and 5 smoke-related past-year child health outcomes: emergency department use for coughing/difficulty breathing; physician diagnosis of ear infection, bronchitis/bronchiolitis, asthma, or eczema/atopic dermatitis. An ordinal measure of adverse health outcomes (0, 1, or ≥2) was regressed on reported indoor cannabis smoking—the main measure of exposure (yes/no). Of 221 parents/guardians asked about cannabis use, 192 (86.9%) provided all required data, and 29 (15.1%) reported indoor cannabis smoking; reports were supported by air particle data. Homes without indoor smoking had lower average 7-day particle concentrations (1968 particles/0.01ft 3 ) than homes with cannabis smoking only (3131 particles/0.01ft 3 ), cigarette smoking only (3095 particles/0.01ft 3 ), or both cigarette and cannabis smoking (6006 particles/0.01ft 3 ). Odds of reporting a greater number of adverse health outcomes were 1.83 (95% CI = 0.89–3.80, p = 0.10) times higher for children of families with indoor cannabis smoking vs families without cannabis smoking, after controlling for exposure to cigarette smoke and other covariates. Our results do not indicate a statistically significant association. However, the magnitude of the (non-significant) association between indoor cannabis smoking and adverse health outcomes warrants more studies.

Applying a gendered lens to understanding self-reported changes in alcohol and cannabis consumption during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, September to December 2020

“…However, this reported mode of consumption decreased from 64.2% to 52.5% for women who used cannabis. 28 Given the potential risk of second-hand exposure among children from parental cannabis smoking, 29,30 men with children in the home may be less likely to smoke cannabis. Evidence on adverse health outcomes among children exposed to secondhand cannabis smoking and potential risk-modifying behaviours among parents who use cannabis is limited, and additional research is needed.…”

Self-reported Secondhand Marijuana Smoke (SHMS) Exposure in Two New York City (NYC) Subsidized Housing Settings, 2018: NYC Housing Authority and Lower-Income Private Sector Buildings

“…Overall, the widespread prevalence of SHMS exposure in MUH is especially concerning given an emerging body of evidence associating SHMS with poor health outcomes. 9,10 The national and local move towards legalization of marijuana may increase already high levels of exposure and undermine cigarette SFH policies by creating confusion about differential policies for these two products. In states that have legalized marijuana for both recreational and medical use, it is therefore important that SFH policies be expanded to also address marijuana smoke.…”

“…8 Yet little is known about the health effects of SHMS. 9,10 Previous studies examining health effects of chronic use among marijuana smokers have found plausible positive associations with cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and addiction. 11,12 One cross-sectional study found that children living in the homes of marijuana smokers had 83% greater odds of experiencing five different smoking-related adverse health outcomes compared to children in homes with no marijuana smoking, after controlling for cigarette smoke exposure and other covariates.…”

“…11,12 One cross-sectional study found that children living in the homes of marijuana smokers had 83% greater odds of experiencing five different smoking-related adverse health outcomes compared to children in homes with no marijuana smoking, after controlling for cigarette smoke exposure and other covariates. 10 Another study that measured endothelial function in rats found that SHMS causes similar vascular endothelial impairment as cigarette secondhand smoke (SHS) but for significantly longer periods of time. 9 Marijuana smoking most frequently transpires indoors, often in homes, 13,14 putting nonsmokers at risk for SHMS inhalation in residential settings, particularly in multi-unit housing (MUH).…”

Cannabis and synaptic reprogramming of the developing brain

“…Cannabis use among parents with children at home in the USA increased from 4.9% to 6.8% between 2002 and 2015, with an increase to 17.4% among cigarette-smoking parents 68 . Moreover, air particle monitoring in almost 300 homes of families with at least one child younger than 14 years showed that 15.1% had documented indoor cannabis smoking 69 . These trends are disconcerting given that toddlers exposed to second-hand cannabis smoke display cognitive and emotional problems 70 .…”