Secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmoking adults in Seoul, Korea.
Despite having one of the highest smoking rates among men, information about secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among Korean adults is lacking. This study describes SHS exposure among Korean men and women. The results were derived from a population-based, cross-sectional telephone survey conducted with 332 adult nonsmokers in Seoul. Sixty-eight percent of nonsmokers were exposed to SHS during a typical day. Exposure was most common in locations other than home and work, where 57% of respondents were exposed, compared to 26% at home and 25% at work. However, among those exposed, the greatest dose of exposure occurred at work (9 cigarettes/day), followed by at home (6 cigarettes/day). Men were more likely to be exposed to SHS at work than women. For men, lack of home smoking bans and strong belief in traditional Korean values were independently associated with SHS exposure in any location. For women, younger age, family members' smoking (non-spouse), and having fewer sources of anti-SHS messages were independently associated with SHS exposure anywhere. The results highlight the need for strong, comprehensive SHS control measures, such as a complete ban of smoking in all workplaces and public places, as well as public health campaigns to promote home smoking bans and non-smoking norms.
Hughes
Suzanne C
SC
Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA. shughes@projects.sdsu.edu
Corcos
Isabel A
IA
Hofstetter
C Richard
CR
Hovell
Melbourne F
MF
Seo
Dong-Chul
DC
Irvin
Veronica L
VL
Park
HaeRyun
H
Paik
Hee Young
HY
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution