Children Exposed to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Have Higher Rates of Respiratory Symptoms | Research

The takeaway

A survey of 3,200 parents found children exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke had 2.1x higher odds of wheezing and 1.8x higher odds of nighttime cough compared to unexposed children.

Pediatricians, parents who use cannabis, public health communicators, and housing policymakers.

What the researchers found

Children with reported secondhand cannabis smoke exposure had significantly higher odds of wheezing (aOR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-2.9), nighttime cough (aOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5), and emergency department visits for respiratory complaints (aOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3). Effects persisted after controlling for tobacco smoke exposure, asthma diagnosis, and socioeconomic factors.

Why it matters

Secondhand tobacco smoke harm is well-established, but secondhand cannabis smoke is understudied. As home cannabis use increases post-legalization, children may face increasing exposure, and this study suggests real respiratory consequences.

The numbers in context

3,200 parents surveyed; wheezing aOR=2.1; nighttime cough aOR=1.8; ED visits aOR=1.6; effects independent of tobacco smoke exposure.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey of 3,200 parents with children under 12 in states with legal recreational cannabis. Assessed secondhand cannabis smoke exposure, respiratory symptoms, and healthcare utilization.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional — cannot establish causation. Parent-reported exposure and symptoms. Cannabis smoke exposure measurement not validated. Confounding by other household factors possible. Legal-state sample may not generalize.

How to read the evidence

Large sample with appropriate statistical controls, but cross-sectional design and parent-reported measures limit causal conclusions.

When this study was published

2025 survey of parents in legal cannabis states.

The bigger picture

Public health messaging has focused on tobacco secondhand smoke for decades. As cannabis use grows, similar messaging about cannabis secondhand smoke and children is needed, especially since many parents may not perceive it as harmful.

Questions still open

Do edibles and vaporizers eliminate the secondhand exposure risk to children?
Should pediatricians routinely screen for secondhand cannabis smoke exposure?

Common questions

Is secondhand cannabis smoke harmful to children?

This study found children exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke had about twice the odds of wheezing and nearly twice the odds of nighttime cough, even after accounting for tobacco smoke exposure.

Can I smoke cannabis at home if I have children?

This study suggests secondhand cannabis smoke is associated with respiratory symptoms in children. Using cannabis in well-ventilated areas or switching to non-smoked forms could reduce exposure.

Read the original research

Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Children.

JAMA network open, 8(1), e2455963

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Tripathi, Osika; Parada, Humberto; Sosnoff, Connie; Matt, Georg E; Quintana, Penelope J E; Shi, Yuyan; Liles, Sandy; Wang, Lanqing; Caron, Kevin T; Oneill, James; Nguyen, Ben; Blount, Benjamin C; Bellettiere, John. (2025). Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Children.. JAMA network open, 8(1), e2455963. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55963