Smoke-free policies in homes and cars among U.S. adults: What exceptions exist regarding types of tobacco product and marijuana emissions, locations within the home, and situational factors?

How individuals address the use of emerging tobacco products and marijuana or the other exceptions made to personal smoke-free policies has received limited attention. In 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 2,500 U.S. adults recruited through an online survey panel, oversampling tobacco users. We assessed tobacco/marijuana use, smoke-free policies in homes and cars, types of emissions from tobacco products and marijuana allowed in the home, locations/rooms where smoking was allowed, and situational exceptions to smoke-free policies. In the past month, 36.7% had used cigarettes, 5.7% large cigars, 6.6% little cigars, 4.9% cigarillos, 3.5% hookah, 7.6% e-cigarettes, and 9.9% marijuana. In homes, 71.1% reported a full ban (not allowed anywhere), 15.0% reported a partial ban (allowed some places/times); and 15.9% reported to ban (allowed anywhere). In cars, 61.0% reported a full ban, 13.2% reported a partial ban, and 17.0% reported no ban. When asked about which types of emissions were allowed in the home, 24.5% allowed cigarette smoke, 16.4% cigar smoke, 33.8% e-cigarette vapor, 11.4% hookah emissions, and 12.6% marijuana smoke. In addition, 18.7% allowed smoking in the family/living room, 14.8% in the kitchen, 13.0% in the bathroom, 13.0% in an adult bedroom, and 2.2% in a child’s bedroom. In terms of situational exceptions, 21.6% made exceptions when the weather was bad, 19.8% when it was dark, 20.2% when there is a party/celebration in the home, and 7.5% when a guest is visiting. Assessments of personal smoke-free policies require revision related to the nuances of emerging products and exceptions made.