Non-Smoker’s Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke in South Africa during 2017

Abstract

Current South African tobacco control law allows for 25% designated smoking areas in some indoor public places. This study investigates non-smokers’ exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in workplaces, homes, cafés/restaurants, and shebeens (local bars) using data from the 2017 South African Social Attitude Survey. Factors associated with any level of exposure were explored using multiple-variable-adjusted logistic regression analysis. The sample of 3063 participants (16+ years old), comprised 51.7% females and 78.5% Black Africans. The current smoking prevalence from this study was 21.5%. About 47% of non-smokers reported exposure to SHS in at least one location. Females were significantly less likely to be exposed to SHS in all locations except at home compared to males. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that females, adults aged 45–54 years, 55–64 years, and 65+ years were significantly less likely to be exposed to SHS (AOR = 0.63, 0.60, 0.55, and 0.24, respectively) than males and those aged 16–24 years. Those who identified as Coloureds were significantly more likely to be exposed to SHS (AOR = 1.69) than Black Africans. This study found that nearly half of non-smokers reported exposure to SHS. A 100% smoke-free policy consistent with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control would protect more people from exposure to SHS in South Africa.

Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke in Public Places and Barriers to the Implementation of Smoke-Free Regulations in The Gambia: A Population-Based Survey

“…In Farafenni, higher education was also a strong protector of being exposed to second-hand smoke, suggesting that increasing public awareness is a good strategy. Our findings also concur with a study in Mongolia and China where among non-smoking women, those with a higher education were less likely to be exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke compared to those with a lower level of education [ 12 ].…”

“…Preliminary analysis of the 2017 GYTS revealed that 61.8% of students (13–15 years old) were exposed to second-hand smoke in enclosed public places [ 3 ]. In our study, women were much less exposed in both indoor and outdoor public places, a finding that is similar to results from South Africa where females were less likely to be exposed in all locations except their homes [ 12 ]. In India, males were also more likely to be exposed in public places, but females were more likely to be exposed at home [ 13 ].…”

Maternal Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Relation to Child Malnutrition in Gauteng, South Africa: A Retrospective Analysis

“…As a result, the combined use of tobacco and alcohol is associated with poor infant outcomes, including poor growth [ 4 ]. It is also worth noting that second hand smoke (SHS), which usually occurs at home, work, and hospitality venues [ 35 ], affects children and women in their daily lives [ 36 ], and brings about almost the same adverse health outcomes as active smoking [ 37 ].…”

Association Between Passive Smoking and Health Among Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Importantly, non-smokers may be subjected to SHS in public places, the workplace, or in their home. Many countries have issued smoke-free policies to help reduce SHS exposure in public places and workplaces, but not in the home ( 11 ). Because nurses work in hospitals, which are smoke-free environments, they are an appropriate target group to examine the relationship between exposure to SHS in non-workplace environments and health.…”