Prevalence Of Smoke-free Home Rules Research Articles

Statewide Prevalence of Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Homes, by Tobacco Product Use, Minnesota, 2018.

IntroductionSecuring clean indoor air laws is a major tobacco control accomplishment of the past 15 years. The public quickly adopted and supported such policies both in public and private spaces. Clean indoor air is now threatened by the emergence of e-cigarettes. E-cigarette aerosol contains nicotine, heavy metals, and carcinogens, and the long-term effect of secondhand exposure is unknown. Surveillance is necessary to track voluntary rules on smoking and vaping in the home.MethodsThe Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) is a series of cross-sectional, random-digit–dial telephone surveys on smoking, vaping, and other tobacco-related behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs among Minnesota adults. MATS measured voluntary smoke-free rules in the home in 2014 (N = 9,304) and measured both smoke-free and vape-free home rules in 2018 (N = 6,055).ResultsThe prevalence of smoke-free home rules among Minnesota adults in 2018 was 91.5% (95% CI, 90.5%–92.5%), up slightly from 89.3% (95% CI, 88.4%–90.2%) in 2014. In comparison, 84.0% (95% CI, 82.7%–85.3%) reported vape-free home rules. Although 70.0% (95% CI, 66.0%–73.0%) of smokers in 2018 reported smoke-free home rules, only 23.3% (95% CI, 15.0%–31.6%) of e-cigarette users reported vape-free home rules. Living with children younger than 18 years significantly increased the odds of having smoke-free and vape-free home rules.ConclusionAlthough widespread adoption of voluntary smoke-free and vape-free home rules demonstrates a positive change in social norms, most e-cigarette users allow vaping in their homes, including those who live with children younger than 18. Tracking voluntary smoke-free and vape-free home rules and efforts to encourage them are important to improve the public’s health.

Prevalence of Smoke-Free Car and Home Rules in Maine Before and After Passage of a Smoke-Free Vehicle Law, 2007–2010

IntroductionThis is the first study to examine the prevalence of self-reported smoke-free rules for private cars and homes before and after the passage of a smoke-free vehicle law.MethodsData were examined for 13,461 Maine adults aged 18 or older who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based telephone survey covering health topics. Self-reported smoke-free car and home rules, smoking behavior, and demographic variables of age, sex, education, income, and children in household were analyzed for prevalence before and after the state’s smoke-free vehicle law was passed.ResultsPrevalence of smoke-free car and home rules was significantly higher after Maine’s smoke-free vehicle law was passed in the state (P = .004 for car rules and P = .009 for home rules). Variations in smoking rules differed by smoking and demographic variables. People with household incomes of less than $20,000 saw an increase of 14.3% in smoke-free car rules; overall, those with annual incomes of less than $20,000 and those with less than a high school education reported a lower prevalence of smoke-free car rules both before and after the law was passed than did people with higher incomes and higher education levels. The prevalence of smoke-free home rules after the law was implemented was higher among those with 4 or more years of college education than among those with lower levels of education (P = .02).ConclusionThe prevalence of smoke-free car and home rules among Maine adults was significantly higher after the passage of a statewide smoke-free vehicle law. This apparent change in smoke-free rule prevalence may be indicative of changing social norms related to the unacceptability of secondhand smoke exposure.

Smokefree Home Rules Adoption by Smokers and Nonsmokers: Minnesota, 1999–2010

Smokefree workplace policies have successfully limited indoor exposure to secondhand smoke. However, exposure still exists in other indoor locations, most notably in the home. This paper examines change in the public's awareness of secondhand smoke harm, exposure to secondhand smoke, and prevalence of smokefree home rules between 1999 and 2010 in Minnesota. The Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey is a statewide, cross-sectional, random-digit-dial telephone-based survey. The survey measures tobacco use, behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs among adults aged 18 and older in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2010. Analysis was conducted in 2011. There was a significant decrease in self-reported exposure to secondhand smoke among all nonsmokers in Minnesota from 2003 (60.9%) to 2010 (37.7%) (p<0.05). The prevalence of smokefree home rules adoption among all Minnesotans increased significantly between each time point: 1999 (64.5%); 2003 (74.8%); 2007 (83.2%); 2010 (87.2%) (p<0.05). Although smokers tended to adopt smokefree home rules at rates lower than nonsmokers, the percentage of smokefree home rules among smokers nearly doubled between 1999 (31.4%) and 2010 (58.1%) (p<0.05). Over 10 years, Minnesotans reported a significant decline in exposure to secondhand smoke and a significant increase in voluntary smokefree home rules. Such a trend is notable as virtually all public tobacco control efforts were aimed at raising awareness and support for smokefree policies within workplaces. These findings demonstrate positive changes in social norms and suggest that behavior change in public settings might also be translated into practice in private settings.

Cancer-Related News from the CDC: State-Specific Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Current Cigarette Smoking among Adults

Cancer-Related News from the CDC: State-Specific Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Current Cigarette Smoking among Adults

State-Specific Prevalence of Smoke-Free Home Rules

State-Specific Prevalence of Smoke-Free Home Rules

State-Specific Prevalence of Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults and Secondhand Smoke Rules and Policies in Homes and Workplaces—United States, 2005

Smoking causes premature death and disease in children and adults who do not smoke but are exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS). To assess the state-specific prevalence of current smoking among adults in the United States and the proportions of adults who report having smoke-free home rules and smoke-free policies in their workplace, CDC analyzed data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated a threefold difference (from lowest to highest) in self-reported cigarette smoking prevalence in 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico (PR), and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) (range: 8.3%-28.7%). Wide variations also were observed in USVI and the 14 states that assessed prevalence of smoke-free home rules (from 63.6% [Kentucky] to 82.9% [Arizona]) and smoke-free workplace policies (from 54.8% [Nevada] to 85.8% [West Virginia]). Evidence-based, comprehensive tobacco prevention and control programs that focus on decreasing smoking initiation, increasing smoking cessation, and establishing smoke-free workplaces, homes, and other venues should be continued and expanded to reduce smoking prevalence, exposure of nonsmokers to SHS, and smoking-related morbidity and mortality.

Correlates of household smoking bans among Chinese Americans

No population-based data are available on the degree to which Chinese Americans have adopted smoke-free household policies and whether these policies are effective in reducing environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. The present study examines the prevalence of smoke-free home rules among Chinese Americans living in New York City, describes predictors of adopting full smoking bans in the home, and explores the association between household smoking restrictions and ETS exposure at home. In-person interviews using a comprehensive household-based survey were conducted with 2,537 adults aged 18-74 years. Interviews were conducted in Mandarin, Cantonese, and other Chinese dialects. A total of 66% of respondents reported that smoking was not allowed inside the home, 22% reported a partial ban on smoking in the home, and 12% reported no smoking ban. Among current smokers, 38% reported a full household smoking ban. Current smoking status was the strongest predictor of less restrictive household smoking policies. Knowledge of the dangers of ETS, support of smoke-free air legislation, years in the United States, gender, income, and marital status also were associated with household smoking bans. Those living with a total household smoking ban were significantly less likely to report 30-day exposure to ETS than were those living in homes with a partial ban or no ban (7% vs. 68% and 73%, respectively). In homes of smokers and nonsmokers alike, exposure to ETS remains high. Smoke-free home rules and interventions among smokers and nonsmokers to raise awareness of the dangers of ETS have the potential to significantly reduce exposure to household ETS among this immigrant population.