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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Heather L. Wipfli¹, Erika Avila-Tang, PhD¹, Ana Navas-Acien, PhD², Patrick Breysse, PhD², and Jonathan Samet, MD, MS¹. (1) Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, 443 287 0123, hwipfli@jhsph.edu, (2) Department of Environmental Health, Johns Hokpins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205

OBJECTIVES

- Characterize levels of SHS in homes with smokers in a number of countries.

- Generate a global profile of SHS exposure among women and children.

- Generate data in order to support smoke-free policies and programs.

- Identify base-line levels for monitoring the impact of tobacco control policies and programs on voluntary efforts to reduce SHS exposure.

METHODS

Study Design: Cross-sectional exposure survey using area monitors and biological samples.

Study Population: Convenience sample of 40 homes with a child under 11 years of age was selected in over 30 countries. The precise study population was determined in each country based on past experience, accessibility, and feasibility.

Secondhand smoke exposure assessment: Homes - Air nicotine measured in homes using passive sampling. Biological Samples from Non-smoking Women and Children - Personal exposure to SHS of adult non-smoking women and children under 11 were assessed measuring hair nicotine.

RESULTS

Initial results show great variability in nicotine levels between regions. The levels of nicotine in the air appear to be related to the number of smokers in the home as well as housing construction and climate. The highest levels of exposure are found in homes in Eastern and Southern Europe, often comparable to levels found in bars and restaurants (2.5µg/m3 ). While effective policies have reduced exposure to SHS in workplaces, the results of this study reinforce the need to develop programs and policies to protect women and children from exposure to SHS in their homes.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the magnitude of secondhand smoke exposure on women and children throughout the world.
• Capable of constructing similar protocols to measure exposure to secondhand smoke among priority populations.
• Identify the benefits and challenges of conducting large multi-country research protocols for tobacco control.

Keywords: Tobacco, International Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation