Children exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke had more respiratory infections | Research

The takeaway

Among 1,500 families surveyed in a pediatric ER, children whose caregivers smoked marijuana had significantly more viral respiratory infections (1.31 vs. 1.04 episodes per year) than unexposed children.

Parents who use cannabis, pediatricians, and public health officials crafting secondhand smoke guidelines.

1.31 vs. 1.04 respiratory infections per year

What the researchers found

Caregivers who used marijuana reported an increased rate of viral respiratory infections in their children (1.31 episodes/year) compared to non-users (1.04 episodes/year, p=0.02). No significant differences were found for ED/UC visits, otitis media, or asthma exacerbations with marijuana smoke exposure.

Why it matters

While secondhand tobacco smoke effects on children are well established, this is among the first studies to identify a specific health risk from secondhand marijuana smoke in children.

The numbers in context

1,500 caregivers surveyed. 158 (10.5%) reported smoking marijuana. 294 (19.6%) reported smoking tobacco. VRI rate: 1.31 vs. 1.04 episodes/year (p=0.02). No significant difference for ED visits, ear infections, or asthma.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional convenience sample survey of 1,500 caregivers in a pediatric ED. Inclusion: caregivers ages 21-85, English- or Spanish-speaking. Exclusion: critically ill, medically complex, or children over 11 or using medical marijuana. Negative-binomial regression estimated rates.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Self-reported marijuana use likely underestimated. Convenience sample from one pediatric ED. Did not measure actual smoke exposure levels. Confounders like socioeconomic factors not fully controlled.

How to read the evidence

Large cross-sectional survey with appropriate statistical modeling but limited by self-report and single-center design.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

As marijuana legalization expands, household exposure patterns change. The finding that secondhand marijuana smoke specifically increases respiratory infections, distinct from tobacco's broader effects, warrants attention from public health messaging.

Questions still open

Would switching to non-smoked cannabis products eliminate this risk? Does the amount of secondhand exposure matter, or is any exposure harmful?

Common questions

Can secondhand marijuana smoke harm children?

This study found that children exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke had significantly more viral respiratory infections per year (1.31 vs. 1.04) compared to unexposed children.

Is secondhand marijuana smoke as bad as tobacco smoke for kids?

The study found different patterns: marijuana smoke was associated with increased respiratory infections specifically, while no differences were found for ER visits, ear infections, or asthma exacerbations.

Read the original research

Association between secondhand marijuana smoke and respiratory infections in children.

Pediatric research, 91(7), 1769-1774

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Johnson, Adam B; Wang, George S; Wilson, Karen; Cline, David M; Craven, Timothy E; Slaven, Sarah; Raghavan, Vidya; Mistry, Rakesh D. (2022). Association between secondhand marijuana smoke and respiratory infections in children.. Pediatric research, 91(7), 1769-1774. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-021-01641-0