Nearly 150 Million Children at Risk of Stunting from Tobacco Exposure, WHO Warns

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning on the dangers of tobacco use for child growth, linking exposure to tobacco smoke with stunted development in children. The latest WHO report highlights that nearly 150 million children worldwide, predominantly in Africa and Asia, are affected by stunting, a condition that increases the risk of disease, delayed development, and even death.

The publication, the eleventh in WHO’s series of tobacco knowledge summaries, consolidates the latest evidence for health professionals, policy-makers, and public health advocates. It emphasizes the urgent need for stronger tobacco control measures to safeguard children’s health, particularly during pregnancy.

“Stunting robs children of their right to grow, learn and thrive,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention at WHO. “Children with parents who smoke face a higher risk of stunting.”

Tobacco’s Impact on Child Growth

The report underscores the severe consequences of tobacco exposure on child development. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to experience stunted growth, with risk increasing in proportion to exposure levels. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is closely linked to preterm birth, low birth weight, and restricted fetal growth, all predictors of stunting by age two.

Heavy smoking during pregnancy harms the baby, with stronger effects the more the mother smokes, the report notes. Quitting smoking during pregnancy can significantly improve child growth outcomes.

Stunting, defined as a child’s height-for-age being more than two standard deviations below WHO Child Growth Standards, is a preventable risk. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals that impair fetal and child development. Exposure during pregnancy can cause growth restriction, congenital anomalies, and later-life chronic diseases, while second-hand smoke after birth worsens respiratory infections and developmental problems.

WHO Calls for Urgent Action

To tackle the problem, WHO urges countries to fully implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its MPOWER measures, which have proven effective in reducing tobacco use and protecting health. Key recommendations include protecting pregnant women and children from second-hand smoke, supporting tobacco cessation services particularly for expectant mothers, and enforcing smoke-free environments in all indoor public spaces.

While research already establishes a strong link between tobacco exposure and impaired child growth, WHO calls for further studies to better understand the mechanisms and the impact of cessation on reducing stunting.

“Protecting pregnant women and reducing their exposure to tobacco smoke is critical to reducing stunting, improving survival and development, and advancing global health goals,” the report concludes.