Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 15: Tobacco use isn’t just fueling cancer and tuberculosis cases — it’s also contributing to child stunting, a widespread health issue impacting nearly 150 million children worldwide, warns the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a newly released report, WHO spotlights the hidden yet critical link between tobacco exposure and impaired child growth. According to 2022 data, Asia accounts for 52% of the world’s stunted children, while Africa represents 43%, with stunting associated with increased child mortality and long-term developmental setbacks.

This publication, the 11th in WHO’s series of tobacco knowledge summaries, presents the latest evidence and is aimed at health professionals, policymakers, and public health advocates. It urges governments to tighten tobacco control laws to safeguard maternal and child health — particularly by reducing exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy.

“Stunting robs children of their right to grow, learn, and thrive,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants. “Children with parents who smoke are significantly more likely to suffer from stunted growth.”

Stunting is defined as impaired physical and cognitive development resulting from malnutrition, infections, and lack of stimulation, and is measured by height-for-age falling more than two standard deviations below WHO standards.

The WHO document underscores that:

• Children of smokers are at higher risk of stunting, especially with prolonged exposure.
• Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to preterm births, low birth weight, and restricted fetal growth — all predictors of stunting by age two.
• The more a pregnant woman smokes, the greater the harm to the child’s development.
• Quitting smoking during pregnancy significantly improves outcomes for child growth.

“Tobacco smoke carries thousands of toxic chemicals that hinder fetal and early childhood development,” the report states. Second-hand smoke after birth also increases risks of respiratory illnesses and growth problems, compounding the effects of early exposure.

WHO has called on countries to fully enforce the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and implement its MPOWER strategies — a set of evidence-based measures to reduce tobacco use. This includes:

• Creating 100% smoke-free indoor environments,
• Expanding cessation services for pregnant women, and
• Raising awareness about tobacco’s harm to children.

The report is a clarion call to align tobacco control with child health policies, ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to grow free from the toxic legacy of tobacco.