Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Associated Factors among College Students on Campus and in the Home: A Preliminary Study

Eun-Kyung Kim,Jina Choo

doi:10.3390/ijerph9010212

Abstract

To explore the prevalence of secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure of college students at two locations, i.e., on campus and in the home, and to identify factors associated with SHS exposure at each location, a preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted on 1754 nonsmoking students from two universities in Korea. In total, 83.1% were exposed to SHS at least once a week on campus or at home; the average SHS exposure was 3.4 times per week. Specifically, 79.7% and 23.5% were exposed to SHS on campus and in the home, respectively. On campus, SHS exposure was significantly more prevalent in freshmen and sophomore students. In the home, SHS exposure was significantly more prevalent among females, those with smokers in their families, and those who rated their health as poor. SHS exposure was common among nonsmoking college students, with more than two-thirds exposed on campus. The prevalence of SHS exposure was greater on campus than in the home; the factors associated with SHS exposure were location-specific.

Highlights

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is defined as the inhalation of tobacco smoke by nonsmokers against their will or as being involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke [1]
Studies have reported that nonsmokers with SHS exposure have a 2.1 times greater risk of developing lung cancer compared to those without SHS exposure [3], while they have a 1.6 and 1.4 times greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease [4] and stroke [5], respectively
Had a family member who smoked, 37.8% had a friend who smoked, and 72.6% had been exposed to anti-secondhand smoke information during the past month

Summary

Introduction

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is defined as the inhalation of tobacco smoke by nonsmokers against their will or as being involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke [1]. SHS consists of 15% mainstream smoke and 85% sidestream smoke. The sidestream smoke contains many highly concentrated toxic chemicals or carcinogens, which may be more harmful than mainstream smoke [2]. SHS exposure is associated with an increased risk of developing cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Studies have reported that nonsmokers with SHS exposure have a 2.1 times greater risk of developing lung cancer compared to those without SHS exposure [3], while they have a 1.6 and 1.4 times greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease [4] and stroke [5], respectively

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Discussion

Conclusion