Smoke 'harms mental ability in children'

Passive smoking can damage children's ability to read and solve problems, new research has shown. A major study of 4,400 American children found those exposed to second-hand smoke achieved lower scores in reading, maths and problem-solving tests.

Half of all British children are regularly exposed to smoke through their parents, according to anti-smoking charity Ash.

But Dr Yolton claims many parents are still unaware of the risk to children. She said: "Most smokers know smoking is bad for them, but do they really know that smoking is bad for their children?"

The difference between children from smoking and non-smoking families was "significant", according to the study, which is to be published this week in Environmental Health Perspectives.