Further Insights on Predictors of Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure during the Pediatric Age.

Matteo Vitali,Alexandra Sabina Ungureanu,Arianna Antonucci,Vincenzo Mattei,Vittoria Cammalleri,Stefano Martellucci,Francesa Santilli,Carmela Protano

doi:10.3390/ijerph16214062

Abstract

Background: The smoking ban in public places has reduced Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure for non-smokers, but despite this, domestic environments still remain places at high risk of exposure, and, today, about 40% of children worldwide are exposed to ETS at home. The aims of the study are to investigate the contribution of several factors on ETS exposure among a group of Italian children and to evaluate the changes in smoking precautions adopted at home when the smoker is the mother, the father, or both parents, respectively. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 519 Italian schoolchildren. Information was collected via a questionnaire. Results: 41.4% of the participants lived with at least one smoker. Almost half of the children exposed to ETS lived with one or more smokers who do not observe any home smoking ban. Lower maternal or paternal educational levels significantly increase the risk of ETS exposure at home and the “worst case” is represented by both parents who smoke. Conclusions: More effective preventive interventions are needed to protect children from ETS exposure. Some interventions should be specifically dedicated to smokers with a low educational level and to mothers that smoke.

Highlights

Exposure to passive smoking, called Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure, has been associated with a great number of adverse health effects on non-smokers, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and neoplastic diseases [1,2,3]
We found the lowest levels among children living with non-smoking cohabitants, higher concentrations for children living with smokers that never smoke at home, levels a little higher for children living with smokers that smoke at home only when children are out, and the highest levels among children living with cohabitants that smoke at home when children are present [16]
The first relevant finding of the present research is related to the prevalence of children exposed to ETS in domestic environments: we found that more than 40% of the participants live with at least one smoker

Summary

Introduction

Called Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure, has been associated with a great number of adverse health effects on non-smokers, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and neoplastic diseases [1,2,3]. ETS exposure during childhood can contribute to the onset of adult diseases, especially pulmonary and cardiovascular ones [8]. Given all of this evidence, non-smokers should be fully protected from ETS exposure, especially the most susceptible populations, such as children. The aims of the study are to investigate the contribution of several factors on ETS exposure among a group of Italian children and to evaluate the changes in smoking precautions adopted at home when the smoker is the mother, the father, or both parents, respectively.

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion