A recently published research study conducted by the University of North Carolina attempted to link lower aptitude scores to environmental tobacco smoke (”Children of non-smokers healthier, study finds,” June 19).
This is the latest in a series of questionable studies that attempt too link ETS to a wide variety of maladies, including diseases in pet dogs.
There may be legitimate motivation for exploring whether there is any association between parental smoking and the test scores of children. But one of the researchers clearly acknowledges that any correlation with smoking might be ”indirect” and that the small differences observed could be the result of a variety of factors, including differences in family attitudes and work ethics.
If UNC researchers want to make statements about lifestyles and social behaviors, then they ought to make the points directly. It`s time to stop hiding behind an ETS smokescreen that blames all of life`s ills on smoking and smokers.
