PATERNAL prepubertal exposure to passive smoke is associated with impaired lung function trajectories in their children, persisting from childhood into middle age and raising the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Researchers analyzed data from 890 father–offspring pairs in the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study, one of the longest-running population health studies worldwide. Offspring underwent repeated spirometry testing at six time points between ages 7 and 53 years, assessing forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the FEV1/FVC ratio. Fathers self-reported exposure to passive smoke before the age of 15.
The findings revealed that paternal prepubertal passive smoke exposure was significantly linked to impaired lung function trajectories in their children. Specifically, offspring were more likely to follow a below-average FEV1 trajectory (adjusted multinomial odds ratio [aMOR] 1.56; 95% CI: 1.05–2.31) and an early low–rapid decline FEV1/FVC trajectory (aMOR: 2.30; 95% CI 1.07–4.94). These patterns are recognized precursors of COPD.
The effect was particularly pronounced when children were themselves exposed to passive smoke in the home, amplifying the risk of below-average FEV1 (aMOR 2.36; 95% CI: 1.34–4.13). Mediation analysis suggested that paternal and offspring smoking behavior, as well as respiratory illnesses, accounted for less than 15% of the observed associations, underscoring the direct intergenerational influence of paternal early-life exposures.
These results highlight how passive smoke exposure before puberty in fathers can adversely affect respiratory health outcomes in subsequent generations. The findings reinforce the need for targeted public health interventions to reduce childhood exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, not only to protect immediate health but also to mitigate long-term and cross-generational impacts.
Reference: Liu J et al. Paternal prepubertal passive smoke exposure is related to impaired lung function trajectories from childhood to middle age in their offspring. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2025. doi: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5663-0154
