A pack of cigarettes in a purse may be more dangerous than those stashed near a wallet, but antioxidant supplements may help.

Swiss researchers are reporting that women may be more affected by smoking cigarettes than men, based on data from about 700 lung cancer patients that showed that women developed the disease earlier, and often after smoking fewer cigarettes than their male counterparts.

Smoking may also deplete antioxidants, according to a study from the University of Rochester, even when it is secondhand.

"Our findings suggest that women may have an increased susceptibility to tobacco carcinogens," noted Dr Martin Frueh and colleagues in the study.

The researchers there found that children who had markers of exposure to cigarette smoke also had lower levels of antioxidants, the chemicals thought by some scientists to prevent cell damage.

Choosing to either supplement with antioxidant-based vitamins or eating an "an abundance of fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants and other healthy nutrients," was recommended by Dr Karen Wilson as a generally healthy habit that may limit some of the effects.