Secondhand Smoke

Research

Smoke-free households with children and decreasing rates of pediatric clinical encounters for otitis media in the United States
New research presented in Tobacco Control indicates that reduced exposure to secondhand smoke may have contributed to the decline over the past 13 years in the amount of doctors’ office visits for otitis media (ear infection) in young children. The study used an ecologic design to compare national data on doctor visits and hospital discharges for otitis media among children six and under and the prevalence of smoke-free homes from 1993 to 2006. They found that the percentage of smoke-free homes increased from 45.5% to 86.1% during this time period, and the average annual amount of doctor visits decreased by 4.6% and hospital discharges by 9.8%. The steady decline in cases from 1993 to 2006 was preceded by a long-term increase in otitis media cases, suggesting that reduced exposure to secondhand smoke in the home may have been a factor in decreasing the number of infections. Click here to view the study.

Not just 'a few wisps': Real-time measurement of tobacco smoke at entrances to office buildings
A recent study shows that nonsmokers may be exposed to tobacco smoke at the entrances to office buildings. Researchers used personal aerosol monitors to measure respirable particulate matter (PM2.5, an indicator of tobacco smoke) outside and inside the entrances of 28 office buildings in Toronto, Canada, and compared the PM2.5 levels to background levels measured in nearby outdoor spaces. The results showed that when smoking was present, the average level of PM2.5 outside of office entrances was 2.5 times higher than the background level. The peak level of PM2.5 when smoking was present was over three times as high as background levels. The amount of PM2.5 increased with the number of lit cigarettes present at the time of measurement. The findings lend support to policies that prohibit smoking at building entrances to protect individuals entering or exiting buildings from tobacco smoke exposure. Click here to read the abstract of the study, published in Tobacco Control.

Passive smoke exposure and abnormal cervical cytology in a predominantly Hispanic population
Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology demonstrates that secondhand smoke exposure may be a risk factor for abnormalities in cervical cells. As part of a larger cervical cancer prevention study, 4,403 female patients visiting the University of Texas Medical Branch clinics were given a Pap screening and were surveyed about their demographic information, sexual history, smoking status, and exposure to secondhand smoke. Using a model and controlling for other risk factors, the researchers found that women reporting exposure to secondhand smoke were 1.70 times more likely to have an abnormal Pap screening result. While the majority (72.6%) of participants was Hispanic, the results also held up for non-Hispanic patients. The study adds to the evidence of the negative health outcomes associated with secondhand smoke exposure. Click here to read the study abstract.

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