Parental Practices and Attitudes Related to Smoke-Free Rules in Homes, Cars, and Outdoor Playgrounds in US Households With Underage Children and Smokers, 2010–2011

Abstract

IntroductionA smoke-free environment protects children from exposure to involuntary smoke and also can reduce or prevent future smoking behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine levels and correlates of parental behavior and attitudes related to voluntary smoke-free rules in homes, cars, and outdoor children’s play areas among US households with underage children and 1 or more smoking parents.MethodsWe used data from the 2010–2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey and logistic regressions to model behavior and attitudes related to voluntary smoke-free rules in 3 settings.ResultsOverall, 60.1% of households with children and at least 1 smoking parent had voluntary smoke-free home rules. Approximately 84.6% and 71.5% of parents thought that smoking should not be allowed inside cars with children present and in outdoor play areas, respectively. Positive parental behavior and attitudes related to voluntary smoke-free rules were more likely among households with 2 parents, parents of higher education and household income, Hispanic parents, and parents of infants (P < .05).ConclusionTobacco control and prevention efforts are needed to promote the voluntary adoption of smoke-free rules in homes, private cars, and outdoor children’s play areas. Most parents from smoker households with underage children were supportive of smoke-free laws for cars and outdoor children’s play areas, providing evidence and encouragement to policy makers to take action to restrict smoking in these locations.

Survey Mode and Rates of Smoke-Free Homes and Support for Smoking Bans Among Single Parents in the United States in 2010–2011 and 2014–2015

“…The TUS data have been used in many studies, including studies targeted to assess home smoking rules and attitudes toward smoking bans in public places and other venues (Agaku et al 2014; Mills et al 2011; Zhang et al 2012, 2014; Zhang, Martinez-Donate, and Rhoads 2015). To our knowledge, however, the 2014–15 TUS data have not been used to estimate the rates of smoke-free homes and attitudes toward smoking bans.…”

“…Department of Health and Human Services 2006). Thus, smoking restrictions at home, in public places, and in cars play an important role in reducing the exposure to secondhand smoke (King, Dube, and Homa 2013; King, Patel, and Babb 2014; King et al 2016; Zhang, Martinez-Donate, and Rhoads 2015; Mills et al 2011; Zhang et al 2012; Cartmell et al 2011; King, Dube, and Tynan 2013; King et al 2014; Agaku et al 2014; Hitchman et al 2010; Jarvie and Malone 2008; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2014; Kruger et al 2015)…”

“…Among households with underage children and at least one adult smoker, the overall rate of smoke-free homes was 50% in 2006–2007 (Mills et al 2011) and 60% in 2010–2011 (Zhang, Martinez-Donate, and Rhoads 2015). Among these households, smoke-free homes were more common among households with younger than older parents, non-Hispanic White than non-Hispanic African American parents, two parents than a single parent, higher income than lower income, higher-educated parents than lower-educated parents, and infants than no infants (Mills et al 2011; Zhang, Martinez-Donate, and Rhoads 2015). …”

“…Factors associated with smoke-free homes were also associated with adult attitudes toward smoking bans in public places and inside cars (Agaku et al 2014; Hitchman et al 2010; King, Dube, and Homa 2013; King, Dube, and Tynan 2012, 2013; Zhang, Martinez-Donate, and Rhoads 2015). These findings consistently indicated that female, non-Hispanic African American, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic, older, higher-educated, and nonsmoking adults were more likely to support smoking bans in public places and cars in comparison to their counterparts (Agaku et al 2014; King, Dube, and Tynan 2013).…”

“…In addition, the smoking status of parents may influence smoking rules at home, as well as parental attitudes toward smoking bans. For example, smokers are less likely to have smoke-free rules at home (King, Dube, and Homa 2013) and to support complete smoking bans in public places and cars (Agaku et al 2014; Zhang, Martinez-Donate, and Rhoads 2015). While addressing the differences of the survey mode was the primary goal, there was a secondary goal to assess smoking rules at home among single-parent households and single parents’ attitudes toward smoking bans in 2010–11 and 2014–15.…”