Reducing domestic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: a review of attitudes and behaviours

Abstract

This paper reviews research on attitudes and behaviours towards environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), with a special focus on child health and the indoor environment. Research needs and ways forward to encourage reductions in domestic ETS levels are discussed. Published material was identified through online literature searches (Medline, Toxline, Cancerlit, Biosis, Embase, Enviroline, Sociological Abstracts, Social Science Citation Index, Academic Index and Psychinfo). The literature search strategy employed search terms such as "passive smoking" or "environmental tobacco smoke" with "attitude" or "awareness" and other synonyms. Additional publications were identified by citation chasing and expert advice. Focusing on the UK, studies that provided survey-derived data about attitudes and behaviours in relation to ETS exposure in the indoor environment were selected for review. Published studies from other countries were also included when they provided information pertinent to this review. Most people are aware of the health risks associated with ETS exposure, and there is a high level of support for smoking restrictions in public places to protect non-smokers from ETS. However, although there is concern among both non-smoking and smoking parents about children and second-hand smoke, many people allow children to be exposed to ETS in the home. The review suggests that traditional health promotion campaigns have had only limited success in encouraging ETS risk reduction measures in the home. Because ETS is a public health priority, particularly in relation to child health, the barriers to the uptake of such measures need to be explored in detail to inform the future promotion of reductions in domestic levels of ETS.

Barriers to Reducing ETS in the Homes of Inner-City Children with Asthma

“…However, others simply felt that they were doing the best they could within their own circumstances. These findings are consistent with other studies that have shown that most smoking parents make efforts to change their smoking behavior around children (28,29,33), but lack knowledge about how to best reduce the child's risk of passive smoke exposure (27,33). Providing parents with information and support to help them create true home and car smoking bans would likely effectively reduce children's exposure and substantially improve health outcomes.…”

“…For parents who are unable to quit, a "next best" strategy is to create a smoking ban in the home and car to protect their children (26)(27)(28)(29)(30). In this study we found that all of the parents were attempting to reduce their children's exposure to smoke.…”

“…Many parents believe that children's health is affected by home smoking (26)(27)(28)(29)(30), and most smokers feel it is important to protect children from secondhand smoke (31). An improved understanding of parental knowledge and attitudes about ETS among parents of children with asthma as well as the barriers families face to reducing ETS exposure would help to guide future interventions.…”

Perceptions of Asian American Men About Tobacco Cigarette Consumption: A Social Learning Theory Framework

“…Interestingly, our participants mentioned that the inclement weather did not always allow for the opening of windows and doors to vent tobacco smoke. Green et al remind us that both smoking and non-smoking parents in the general population expose their children to second-hand smoke (41). Still, with women and children within AAPI communities being particularly vulnerable to side-stream smoke, perhaps family-centered empowerment strategies are needed (42).…”

Smoking during early adolescence. A study in schoolchildren from Argentina

“…Siendo que la edad promedio de experimentación con el tabaco en esta población resultó ser de 12 años, los programas de prevención deberían iniciarse durante el segundo ciclo de educación general básica, es decir, antes de la edad de inicio, entre los 9 y 10 años de edad. El micro ambiente donde crece el niño -el contexto social familiar -ejerce fuerte presión en el desarrollo o no de factores protectores que influencian el modo de vida saludable [19][20][21][22] .…”