My research into gastric reflux unearthed the interesting study
below. Smoking has also been frequently linked to colic.

Alaswad B;  Toubas PL;  Grunow JE. Environmental tobacco smoke
exposure and gastroesophageal reflux in infants with apparent
life-threatening events. J Okla State Med Assoc  Jul 1996 7,89:233-7

They studied whether environmental tobacco smoke exposure in infants
diagnosed with an apparent life-threatening event could be a
contributing factor to gastroesophageal reflux.

The children in the study has an uncomplicated perinatal history, no
congenital anomalies, no neuropathology, and no drug exposure. They
found a strong correlation between elevated esophageal pH and
increased tobacco smoke exposure (p < 0.005). There was a linear
relation between the number of cigarettes smoked per day and reflux
index. Nursing mothers were less likely to be smokers (18.2% vs.
34.0%).

The authors concluded that environmental tobacco smoke exposure
represents a significant contributing factor to GER.

Ros Escott BAppSc IBCLC
Tasmania, Australia