Exposure to secondhand smoke among California's diverse population

This study estimates the percent of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke in California at home and at work. Differences in exposure are analyzed by age group (children, adolescents, and adults), gender, race/ethnicity, education level, poverty status, and household size. We analyzed the 2005 and 2007 California Health Interview Survey for home exposure, and the 2002 and 2005 California Tobacco Surveys for workplace exposure. Children have the lowest rates of exposure at home (3.4%), followed by adolescents (4.7%) and adults (6.0%). For all age groups, Hispanics have the lowest exposure. African Americans of all ages have higher exposure rates than whites. The highest rates are for American Indian/Alaska Natives. People living in households headed by someone with a college education have lower rates of exposure than those headed by those with a high school education. In the workplace, 13% of Californians continue to be exposed to SHS. Men have higher rates of exposure than women (15.9% compared to 9.9%), and rates decline with age. Hispanics have the highest rates (19.5%), followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders (10.6%), African Americans (10.4%), and Whites (9.9%). Exposure rates decline with education level. The highest exposure rates are for those earning $20,000 - $30,000 per year (30.3%) and the lowest rates are for those with incomes above $75,000 (9.0%). The highest rates by place of work are for people who work in stores or warehouses (17.0%), followed by plants or factories (16.8%), restaurants or bars (15.9%), and vehicles (14.7%).