Details:

Alternative Title:
Prev Chronic Dis
Personal Author:
Young, Walter ; Karp, Shelley ; Bialick, Peter ; Liverance, Cindy ; Seder, Ashley ; ... More +
Young, Walter ; Karp, Shelley ; Bialick, Peter ; Liverance, Cindy ; Seder, Ashley ; Berg, Erica ; Karp, Liberty Less -
Description:
Introduction

Exposure to secondhand smoke is problematic for residents living in multiunit housing, as the smoke migrates through shared ventilation systems, unsealed cracks, and door spaces. The objective of our research was to assess resident exposure to secondhand smoke, support for no-smoking policies, and the health impacts of no-smoking policies in multiunit housing.

Methods

Surveys of 312 heads of households who resided in 1 of 3 multiunit buildings managed by a Colorado public housing authority were administered before and after implementation of a no-smoking policy that prohibited smoking in all resident apartments and all indoor common areas. A matched-pairs analysis of initial surveys and 15-month post-policy implementation surveys for 115 respondents was conducted.

Results

Decreases were found in the number and percentage of smokers who smoked every day and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and 30% had quit smoking 15 months after policy implementation. The percentage of residents who smelled secondhand smoke indoors declined significantly. A significant decrease in breathing problems was found after policy implementation. Although decreases were found in the incidence of asthma attacks, emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eye irritation, colds, nasal congestion, and ear/sinus infections, these decreases were not significant.

Conclusion

Consistent findings across nearly all variables tested suggest that no-smoking policies reduce resident exposure to secondhand smoke, lower the incidence of secondhand smoke–associated breathing problems, decrease daily smoking and cigarette consumption, encourage smoking cessation, and increase quit attempts. If implemented in all multiunit housing, these policies could reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and health problems associated with secondhand smoke, promote smoking cessation, and reduce cigarette consumption.


Subjects:
[+]
Female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Humans Male Public Housing/legislation & Jurisprudence Smoke-Free Policy/legislation & Jurisprudence Smoking Smoking Cessation Surveys And Questionnaires Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Source:
Prev Chronic Dis. 13.
Pubmed ID:
27763830
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC5072752
Document Type:
Journal Article
Place as Subject:
Colorado
Collection(s):
Preventing Chronic Disease
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:d2311eefde255c89aa88777b59b6f0e26879974642d17b49a524c60b714bb2fe
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/42873/cdc_42873_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• PCD-13-E148.nxml

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