EDMONTON — Health officials say a growing number of people, mainly seniors, are suffering serious burns from smoking while on oxygen therapy for lung problems.
Dr. Edward Tredget, a burn treatment expert at the University of Alberta hospital, says the injuries include blistered skin and burns to the face, airways, hands and body.
In some cases, people die from their burns or are so injured they require skin-graft surgery and long stays in hospital.
Tredget says people who receive home oxygen therapy are told not to smoke, but some do so anyway because they are hooked on tobacco.
He says families, health workers and companies that sell bottled oxygen need to do more to ensure that patients don't light up.
Tredget says people who smoke while on oxygen also pose a threat because any fire could hurt others and damage where they live.
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