Decrease in the prevalence of environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the home during the 1990s in families with children

Am J Public Health. 2004 Feb;94(2):314-20. doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.2.314.

Abstract

Objectives: This study explored correlates with and changes in the prevalence of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure of children in the home.

Methods: We used multiple logistic regression to explore ETS exposures as reported in the 1992 and 2000 National Health Interview Survey.

Results: ETS exposure in homes with children declined from 35.6% to 25.1% (P <.001) between 1992 and 2000, whereas smoking prevalence declined 26.5% to 23.3%. Home ETS exposures were more prevalent among non-Hispanic Whites than among African Americans (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.702; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.614, 0.802), Asian Americans (AOR = 0.534; 95% CI = 0.378, 0.754), and Hispanics (AOR = 0.388; 95% CI = 0.294, 0.389). Exposures declined across all groups, with greater gains in higher education and income groups.

Conclusions: Home ETS exposure declined sharply between 1992 and 2000, more than would be predicted by the decline in adult smoking prevalence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / statistics & numerical data*
  • Algorithms
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Family Characteristics
  • Family Health* / ethnology
  • Health Surveys*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Middle Aged
  • Parents
  • Prevalence
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / economics
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Smoking / ethnology
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / analysis
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution