Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure During Travel Among Adults With Asthma

Abstract

In California, state law now prohibits smoking in most public places. We examined the prevalence and short-term health impact of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure during travel among adults with asthma. A cohort of 374 nonsmoking adults with asthma recruited from a random sample of allergy, pulmonary, and family practice physicians in northern California underwent structured telephone interviews. The prevalence of self-reported ETS exposure during travel in the past 12 months was substantial (30%; 95% confidence interval, 25 to 35%). Of the exposed subjects, approximately one third (34%) indicated no other regular source of ETS exposure. ETS-related cough, wheezing, or chest tightness during travel was the most common complaint (66%), followed by eye irritation (46%) and nose irritation (43%). After ETS exposure, many subjects indicated extra inhaled asthma medication use (55%). Subjects with no other regular ETS exposure reported a greater likelihood of eye irritation (58% vs 40%; p = 0.068) and nose irritation (58% vs 36%; p = 0.025) than persons with regular exposure. In contrast, there were no differences in respiratory symptoms, asthma medication use, or asthma exacerbation by regular ETS exposure status. In adults with asthma, ETS exposure is common during travel. For many subjects, travel is their principal source of exposure.