Second Hand Smoke in Oklahoma: What People Know, What People do to Prevent Harm

Introduction: No level of second hand smoke (SHS) exposure is safe. Health risks include heart disease in adults, otitis media in children, and sudden infant death syndrome. The goal of this study was to analyze associations between SHS knowledge and preventive measures Oklahomans are willing to take to reduce their exposure.

Methods: As part of a longitudinal study, we surveyed 4001 Oklahomans using cellular and land phone lines with standard survey procedures. The study weighted the data for age, type of phone, and demographics of Oklahomans. Data analysis included summary statistics, measures of association, and inferential statistics, using procedures appropriate for weighted data.

Results: While 63.8% of Oklahomans know that SHS is very harmful to one's health, only 59.1% have full smoking bans in their automobiles, 70.7% in their homes, and 23.2% would be very likely to ask others not to smoke in their presence. People who believe that SHS is very harmful are 3.4 (95% CI= 2.8, 4.0) times more likely to have full smoking bans in their homes, 3.4 (95% CI= 2.8, 4.0) times more likely to have full smoking bans in their cars, and 4.5 (95% CI = 3.7, 5.4) times more likely to ask others not to smoke in their presence than those who believe that SHS is somewhat harmful, not very harmful or not harmful at all.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated the need for Oklahomans to obtain knowledge about the dangers of SHS and to use this knowledge to protect themselves and their families.