Exposure to Passive Smoking among Current Smokers and Non-Smokers

Abstract

Few studies have evaluated exposure to passive smoking among current smokers. The aim of our study was to assess environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in current smokers, as well as attitudes towards smoking. We used a questionnaire containing questions about epidemiological information and the history of smoking, including exposure to ETS. The study was conducted in a group of 114 healthy individuals (mean age 29.7 years). 57 of the participants (50%) declared to be daily smokers, 32 (28%) had never smoked, 11 (9.6%) were ex-smokers, and 14 (12%) defined themselves as occasional-smokers. The total exposure to ETS of the entire group was 89.47% (current smokers 87.72%, never-smokers 93%). No significant difference in the range of exposure to ETS according to the place of exposure was found. Symptoms occurring most often during exposure to ETS in the group of smokers were: sputum production 42.1%, cough 31%, lacrymation 24.6%, wheezing 21.0%. Never-smokers suffered mainly from cough 50%, dyspnea 46.9%, lacrymation 46.9%. Wheezes occurred significantly more often in the group of current smokers than in never-smokers (21% v. 3.2%), while dyspnea was significantly more frequent in never-smokers than current smokers (48.4% v. 13.7%). Smokers were less in favor of introducing a smoking ban than never-smokers (public places 77.6% v. 100%, friends' houses 39.6% v. 86.7%, pubs and discos 41.1% v. 84.4%). Over 66% of smokers declared their wish to quit smoking. Seventy percent of subjects who had been exposed to ETS in childhood started smoking significantly earlier than those who had not been exposed. Our study showed the problem of 'double' exposure to tobacco smoke. Current smokers are in favor of a smoking ban in public places.