Adolescent Exam Failure Related to Environmental Tobacco Smoke
November 9th, 2007 | by Timothy Kintzel, M.D. |
A recent UK study investigated the relationship of prenatal and environmental tobacco smoke , among other factors and adolescent performance on standardised exams (”O” levels and “A” levels - exams of akin importance to the US’s SAT’s). The results were that although prenatal tobacco exposure did not relate to test failure, teen smoking and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure did. They had hypothesised that prenatal tobacco smoke exposure which has been linked to neurocognitive and behavioural problems which can disrupt learning would also predict the likelihood of exam failure.
Although this was not the case, the researchers point to this supporting the growing evidence of academic-related ETS consequences in adolescence.
Reference: Collins, et al (J Adolesc Health.2007 Oct;41(4):363-70. Epub 2007 Jul 12)
Tags: academics, adolescents, learning, prenatal, Smoking, teen, testing