Factors associated with secondhand smoke exposure in different settings: Results from the German Health Update (GEDA) 2012

Abstract

BackgroundThe ubiquity of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home or in private establishments, workplaces and public areas poses several challenges for the reduction of SHS exposure. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of SHS exposure in Germany and key factors associated with exposure. Results were also differentiated by place of exposure.MethodsA secondary data analysis based on the public use file of the German Health Update 2012 was conducted (n = 13,933). Only non-smokers were included in the analysis. In a multivariable logistic regression model the factors associated with SHS exposure were calculated. In addition, a further set of multivariable logistic regressions were calculated for factors associated with the place of SHS exposure (workplace, at home, bars/discotheques, restaurants, at the house of a friend).ResultsMore than a quarter of non-smoking study participants were exposed to SHS. The main area of exposure was the workplace (40.9 %). The multivariable logistic regression indicated young age as the most important factor associated with SHS exposure. The odds for SHS exposure was higher in men than in women. The likelihood of SHS exposure decreased with higher education. SHS exposure and the associated factors varied between different places of exposure.ConclusionsDespite several actions to protect non-smokers which were implemented in Germany during the past years, SHS exposure still remains a relevant risk factor at a population level. According to the results of this study, particularly the workplace and other public places such as bars and discotheques have to be taken into account for the development of strategies to reduce SHS exposure.

Second hand smoke exposure in workplace by job status and occupations

“…The Dutch study reported that workers who were male and low-educated were more likely to be exposed to SHS [8]. The German study reported the aspect of higher SHS exposure in younger age group, but this is dependent on the place of exposure, and exceptionally at workplace, 30–44 years had highest SHS exposure differ by the others such as home, bars, or the house of friend [9]. It is known that blue-collar workers and service workers are more likely to expose the higher rate of SHS occupationally than white-collar workers.…”

“…Working adults spend most of their time at workplace and for those non-smokers, the workplace may be the major source of provider to SHS exposure [8]. In the German study, More than 40% of non-smokers reported experiencing SHS at work [9]. Workplace smoking is an occupational health hazard and a smoking ban policy at the workplace is the best option to reduce SHS [10].…”

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Smoke-Free Rules in Homes among Socially-Disadvantaged Populations in Poland

“…Several studies have also highlighted the higher likelihoods of ETS exposure at home for socioeconomically-disadvantaged people [46,47,48,49]. The present study has documented that, even though the smoking prevalence among social aid recipients tends to be higher [43], the prevalence of ETS exposure for the population of the Piotrkowski District was found to be much lower than in the general population, where 15.5% of the non-smokers (6.6% of males and 18.3% of females, respectively) were exposed to ETS in the month preceding the study.…”

Factores asociados con la exposición al humo de tabaco de segunda mano en lugares públicos y privados en México. Encodat 2016

“…Por otra parte, esta investigación encontró que las mujeres, los adolescentes y los grupos de menor nivel educativo tienen una mayor exposición al HTSM en el hogar. Estos resultados son consistentes con la mayoría de los estudios a nivel mundial, [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] lo que muestra que las inequidades de género, edad y nivel educativo persisten en nuestro país y afectan principalmente en el hogar, donde 10 millones de mexicanos continúan expuestos al HTSM. En los hombres, la exposición es mayor en los espacios públicos y de trabajo.…”

“…Este hallazgo se reporta en estudios previos en la literatura internacional. [27][28][29][30][31] Finalmente, vivir en áreas urbanas o metropolitanas se asocia con una mayor exposición al HTSM en todos los lugares. Lo anterior contrasta con lo encontrado en algunos países, donde la mayor exposición en el trabajo y en el hogar se observa en las áreas rurales.…”