Children Exposed to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Have Higher Rates of Respiratory Symptoms
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do edibles and vaporizers eliminate the secondhand exposure risk to children?
- ?Should pediatricians routinely screen for secondhand cannabis smoke exposure?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Large sample with appropriate statistical controls, but cross-sectional design and parent-reported measures limit causal conclusions.
- Study Age:
- 2025 survey of parents in legal cannabis states.
- Original Title:
- Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Children.
- Published In:
- JAMA network open, 8(1), e2455963 (2025)
- Authors:
- Tripathi, Osika(6), Parada, Humberto(3), Sosnoff, Connie(2), 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
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07824
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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 More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07824APA
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
MLA
Tripathi, Osika, et al. "Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Children.." JAMA network open, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55963
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Children." RTHC-07824. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/tripathi-2025-exposure-to-secondhand-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.