Disparities in Neighborhood Characteristics among U.S. Children with Secondhand and Thirdhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure

Abstract

(1) Background: Home tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and negative neighborhood characteristics adversely affect children’s overall health. The objective was to examine the associations of child TSE status and neighborhood characteristics among U.S. school-aged children. (2) Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2018–2019 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data including 17,300 U.S. children ages 6–11 years old. We categorized children’s home TSE status into: (a) no TSE: child did not live with a smoker; (b) thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure alone: child lived with a smoker who did not smoke inside the home; and (c) secondhand smoke (SHS) and THS exposure: child lived with a smoker who smoked inside the home. We conducted a series of weighted linear and logistic regression analyses to assess the associations between child TSE status and neighborhood characteristics, adjusting for covariates. (3) Results: Overall, 13.2% and 1.7% of children were exposed to home THS alone and home SHS and THS, respectively. Compared to children with no TSE, children with home THS exposure alone and children with home SHS and THS exposure had a significantly lower total number of neighborhood amenities and children with SHS and THS exposure had a significantly higher total number of detracting neighborhood elements. (4) Conclusions: Children with TSE demonstrate disparities in the characteristics of the neighborhood in which they live compared to children with no TSE. TSE reduction interventions targeted to children with TSE who live in these neighborhoods are warranted.

Thirdhand smoke beliefs, exposure status and associated factors among young people in China: A cross-sectional study

“…The overall thirdhand smoke exposure prevalence for young people in this survey is relatively higher than in other research. A study from the United States showed that among a sample of 17300 children, 2278 were exposed to thirdhand smoke, resulting in a thirdhand smoke exposure prevalence of 13.2% 23 . The MPOWER tobacco control strategy proposed by the World Health Organization in 2008 provides important references and guidance for China's implementation and promotion of smoke-free policies in public places 24 .…”

Child Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Indoor Home Characteristics, and Housing Stability among a National Sample of U.S. Children

“…In parallel with past research [2,4], we also found that children with TSE were at increased risk to live in poverty. Families with low-incomes are more likely to live in lower quality homes in which lack of heat or air conditioning and increased litter and other negative elements create fertile conditions for mold and pests and other environmental hazards which adversely affect children's health [3,5,12]. Specifically, mold and damp home environments are present in approximately 18.7 million low-income homes [24].…”

“…Although there is no safe level of tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) for children [1], almost one-in-four are exposed to tobacco smoke in their homes [2]. TSE rates are even higher in children who live in poverty, rented homes, and in neighborhoods in which there is litter, lack of greenspace, and homes in disrepair [2][3][4]. Children who live in poverty are typically housed in homes that are of lower quality in which they are more likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke, damp conditions, mold, and pests [5].…”

Nicotine as an Environmental Toxin: Implications for Children's Health

“…In addition to broad benefits to overall well-being (Engemann et al, 2019), green space is associated with a lower prevalence of smoking (Martin et al, 2020). In places with more green space, children may be exposed to less secondhand and thirdhand smoke (Mahabee-Gittens et al, 2022). Although the exact mechanisms are unclear, a recent study of approximately five million individuals in urban California found that those who lived in closest proximity to existing green space and residential green cover paid an average of $374 less in annual healthcare costs relative to individuals with less access (Van Den Eeden et al, 2022).…”