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EXCERPTS FROM: Smokers' babies 'risk  meningitis'

BBC News [06/11/00]

           Babies whose parents smoke 'have a doubled risk'
           Parents who smoke increase the risk of their
           babies contracting life-threatening bacterial
           meningitis, say researchers at Edinburgh
           University.

           The study, carried out in Greece, found that
           cigarette smoke helps the bacteria adhere to
           the tissues lining the throat.

           The more smoke the babies were exposed to,
           the more bacteria they harboured.

           Dr Caroline Blackwell, one of the study team
           from the university's department of medical
           microbiology, said the discovery also had
           implications for research into cot death and
           chest infections among babies.

          Poverty link

           Dr Blackwell and her team carried out a study
           of more than 250 babies in Greece and found
           those who had the meningococcal bacteria all
           had mothers who smoked.

           The finding showed passive smokers suffered
           the same effects as smokers on the tissue in
           their throats and nasal passages.

           And she said the bacteria which cause cot
           death and childhood chest infections were also
           affected by the research.