Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Results From the 2015 National Adult Tobacco Survey

Shweta Vishwas Kulkarni,Ly Thi-Hai Tran,Latsamy Siengsounthone,Thanh Cong Bui,Daovieng Douangvichith,Phuc Hong Le,Khatthanaphone Phandouangsy,Phonepadith Xangsayarath

doi:10.3389/ijph.2021.1604436

Abstract

Objectives: Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure causes >600,000 deaths annually worldwide, however, information regarding SHS exposure in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PRD) is limited; we report SHS exposure prevalence at home, inside workplaces, and indoor public spaces in Lao PDR. Methods: Data were from the 2015 Lao National Adult Tobacco Survey, a nationally representative sample of 7,562 participants aged ≥15 years recruited through a stratified 2-stage cluster sampling approach. Results: 88.3% (83.9% of non-smokers) reported SHS exposure at home and 63.0% (54.0% of non-smokers) at workplaces. Among non-smokers, women had greater exposure at home than men (86.6 vs. 77.0%). Lower education levels were associated with exposure at home or the workplace. 99.2% reported SHS exposure at any public place; specifically for restaurants/food stores 57.7%, government offices 56.2%, public transport 31.6%, and health care facilities 11.7%. Conclusion: SHS exposure at home and workplace in Lao PDR is among the highest in South-East Asia. Comprehensive smoke-free policies at government-owned workplaces and facilities, stricter enforcement of these smoke-free policies, and strategies to encourage smoke-free environments at homes and in public places are urgently needed.

Highlights

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report on the worldwide burden of disease from exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS), more than 600,000 annual deaths worldwide are caused by SHS [1]
This study aims to examine the national prevalence of SHS exposure at home, inside the workplace, and indoor public places
The National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS) results showed that 88.3% of Lao people (83.9% among non-smokers) reported SHS exposure at home (Table 1) and 63.0% (54.0% among non-smokers) reported

Summary

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report on the worldwide burden of disease from exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS), more than 600,000 annual deaths worldwide are caused by SHS [1]. Among non-smokers, lung cancer risk increases with both the duration and the level of SHS exposure [2]. Tobacco-related diseases account for 10.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide. Of all deaths attributable to SHS, 28% occur in children, and 47% in women [3]; SHS exposure can cause lung cancer [4], ischemic heart disease [5], asthma [6], and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among adults [7]. SHS exposure in pregnant women can result in low birth weights, while SHS in childhood can cause chronic respiratory symptoms, lower respiratory illness, asthma, middle-ear infection, reduced pulmonary function, and sudden infant death syndrome [1]. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) suggests creating smoke-free environments in all indoor workplaces, public places, and on public transport, while instituting educational strategies such as voluntary smoke-free home policies to prevent tobacco-related mortality and morbidity [8]

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion