Reducing children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke: Evidence from the U.S. and implications for Hungary

Abstract

This review summarizes empirical evidence for clinical interventions designed to reduce children's residentia environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Legislation prohibiting ETS exposure in public buildings, especially work settings, may decrease ETS exposure in private residences. Media, policy/legal regulations, and brief clinical advice require more study to determine their effectiveness for decreasing ETS exposure in private residences. Three published and two in progress trials found that repeated counseling reduced ETS exposure in asthmatic and healthy children from lower through middle class families. Dentists, physicans, and other clinicians may be strategic supervisors for paraprofessional counseling designed to lower children's ETS exposure in their home. Research is needed to determine the cultural tailoring needed to be effective in Hungary.