Very young children living in poverty in rural areas of the U.S. seemed to have a higher risk for second- and third-hand smoke exposure than previously recognized, researchers said.

The analysis of data from a long-term study of rural poverty found that 15% of children (ages 6 months to 4 years)- had levels of the nicotine byproduct cotinine that were comparable to those reported in adult smokers, reported Lisa Gatzke-Kopp, PhD, of Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) in University Park, and colleagues.