The role of home smoking bans in limiting exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in Hungary

Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Older Adults in India

Objectives: Current tobacco use (CTU) and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among older adults in India (≥60 years) are prevalent in India and indicate the importance of addressing associated factors. Methods: Pooled Global Adult Tobacco Survey India 2009-2010 and 2016-2017 data (n = 17,299) for older adults examined prevalence of CTU and SHS exposure at home and/or in public places and associated socioeconomic and demographic correlates. Results: CTU among older adults in India was 44.6%, and SHS exposure at home and public places were 20.0% and 30.0%, respectively. Men, younger age-group, rural, lower education, lower wealth index, and lower knowledge were independently associated with CTU. Men, rural, lower education, lower wealth index, CTU, and lower knowledge were independently associated with SHS exposure at home. Men, younger age, and rural residence were associated with SHS exposure in public places. Conclusion: CTU and SHS exposure among older adults in India suggest targeted interventions to address associated social and demographic factors.

Exposure to second-hand smoke in the context of tobacco policy changes in Estonia, 1996-2016

BACKGROUND

Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) is a preventable cause of disease and disability that can effectively be tackled by tobacco legislation. The aim of the study was to analyse the trends of SHS exposure and its sociodemographic patterning during 1996-2016 in the context of tobacco policy changes in Estonia.

METHODS

Nationally representative data from biennial health surveys in 1996-2016 (n = 14 629) were used to present prevalence ratios for SHS exposure among non-smokers in Estonia. Joinpoint regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to study the sociodemographic and socio-economic differences in SHS exposure and its changes during the period.

RESULTS

Exposure to SHS among non-smoking men and women has declined 3.6 and 5 times, respectively, during 1996-2016. While the rate of change was constant among men throughout the period, the decline in SHS exposure among women became significantly faster after 2006 compared with the previous period. However, 15.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.1-18.3%] of men and 8.8% (95% CI 7.1-10.6%) of women were still exposed to SHS in 2016 with higher odds found for younger age groups, non-Estonians and those with lower education and income.

CONCLUSIONS

The consistently declining prevalence of SHS exposure among non-smoking population can be at least partially attributed to implementation of tobacco legislations in 2000s. However, the existing sociodemographic and socio-economic differences in SHS exposure require further attention as those in more vulnerable positions are also more exposed to SHS-related health harms.

Do partial home smoking bans signal progress toward a smoke-free home?

Understanding who establishes partial home smoking bans, what these bans cover, and whether they are an intermediate step in going smoke-free would help to inform smoke-free home interventions. Participants were recruited from United Way of Greater Atlanta's 2-1-1 contact center. Data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months via telephone interview. Participants (n = 375) were mostly African American (84.2%) and female (84.3%). The majority (58.5%) had annual household incomes <$10,000. At baseline, 61.3% reported a partial smoking ban and 38.7% reported no ban. Existence of a partial ban as compared with no ban was associated with being female, having more than a high school education, being married and younger age. Partial bans most often meant smoking was allowed only in designated rooms (52.6%). Other common rules included: no smoking in the presence of children (18.4%) and smoking allowed only in combination with actions such as opening a window or running a fan (9.8%). A higher percentage of households with partial bans at baseline were smoke-free at 6 months (36.5%) compared with households with no bans at baseline (22.1%). Households with partial smoking bans may have a higher level of readiness to go smoke-free than households with no restrictions.

Home smoking bans may increase the risk of smoking onset in children when both parents smoke

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to determine if there is effect modification by home smoking bans in the association between parental smoking and cigarette smoking onset in children.

METHODS

Data on smoking onset, number of parents who smoke, and home smoking rules were collected from children who had never smoked in self-report questionnaires in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11. The association between number of parents who smoke and smoking onset in children was tested in pooled logistic regression in 2 groups defined by the presence or absence of a complete home smoking ban.

RESULTS

In homes without a complete ban and relative to participants with no parents who smoke, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval [OR (95% CI]) for smoking onset was 1.5 (1.1-1.9) when one parent smoked and 1.4 (1.0-2.1) when both parents smoked. In homes with a complete ban, the OR (95% CI) was 1.6 (1.1-2.3) if one parent smoked, but 4.9 (2.4-9.9) if both parents smoked.

CONCLUSION

The association between number of parents who smoke and smoking onset in children was modified by the presence of a complete home smoking ban. In homes with a complete smoking ban in which both parents smoke, it may be prudent those parents communicate clearly with their children about their reasons for implementing the ban as well as about their reasons for continuing to smoke.