Frequency of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Outside the Home Is Associated with a Lower FEV₁/FVC in Male Workers Regardless of Smoking Status

Abstract

Decreased respiratory function associated with aging leads to the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and increased risk of death in the elderly. Prevention of a decline in respiratory function from a young age is important. This study aimed to clarify the factors that affect decreased forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), an index of obstructive respiratory disorder caused by airway obstruction, by considering the influence of body composition and lifestyle. We recruited 262 employed adult men and determined their lifestyle-related factors, including smoking status, past or current secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, exposure to SHS outside the home, and physical activity (PA). Body composition and respiratory function were also measured. The data were then compared with those of non-smokers using logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age. We also investigated factors influencing FEV1/FVC using multiple regression analysis, adjusting for age, height, smoking status, and lifestyle. Current smokers and heavy smokers exhibited significantly lower amounts of PA and had a higher body fat%, visceral fat area, prevalence of cohabitation with smokers, and frequency of SHS exposure outside the home, and FEV1/FVC was significantly lower in heavy smokers. A multiple regression analysis revealed that FEV1/FVC was associated only with the frequency of SHS exposure outside the home. It is important for occupational health personnel of a company to advise both non-smokers and smokers to avoid SHS to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease onset. This needs to be coupled with encouragement to quit smoking, especially for heavy smokers.

Cohabiting with Smokers Is an Independent Factor for Worsening Arterial Stiffness Even in Smoking Workers

“…and "What kinds of places are they (e.g., pachinko parlors (a Japanese upright pinball game), restaurants, and pubs)?" [16] (Figure 1).…”

“…A possible reason for this inconsistency is that, although there are health-related disadvantages for both mainstream smoking, which concerns smokers exhaling tobacco smoke, and passive smoking, which is the basis for secondhand smoke (SHS), prior studies have not considered the effects of SHS. SHS is considered to represent exposure both outside the home and in the home and workplace [15,16], and examination of the influence of exposure to smoke in these environments is required. Considering this, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of smoking habits, including exposure to SHS situations, on arterial stiffness in workers who had not developed arteriosclerosis, as well as to construct a strategy for preventing future worsening of arteriosclerosis.…”