title: Effects of passive smoking on students at College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the recent campaigns to eliminate smoking, the rates are still increasing world-wide. Exposure to passive smoking (PS) is associated with morbidity and mortality from awful diseases. Although many college students smoke, little is known about their exposure to PS, common places and sources of exposures in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the following study is to identify prevalence and magnitude of PS among college students, exposure time, locations, sources of exposure, investigate the effects and make recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed to identify factors associated with PS exposure among students of College of Applied Medical Sciences, Riyadh.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 61 students included in the study, 91.8% were found exposed to PS. Exposure in Hospitality venues (Estirah) was the most common followed by other areas. Among the sources of exposure, the highest was among friends and the least were parents and guests. The frequency of highest exposure per month was >15 times and the lowest was 10-15 times. Levels of annoyance varied between 18% and 37.7%, respectively. Since the values obtained for different markers in the pulmonary function test are more than the predicted values, the observed spirometry is normal. The percent oxygen saturation in hemoglobin and blood pressure of PS were in normal range.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since the properties of mainstream smoke and environmental tobacco smoke are quite different, risk extrapolation from active to PS is uncertain, especially during a short period. Nevertheless, it can be deteriorating during a longer duration, hence; the administrators, policy makers and tobacco control advocates may endorse policies to restrict smoking in shared areas, particularly working environment.
authors: Emergency Medical Services Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Abdullah
authors: A
authors: Alanazi
authors: , , Respiratory Therapy Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Farhan
authors: F
authors: Al Enezi
authors: , , Respiratory Therapy Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mohammd Mesfer
authors: MM
authors: Alqahtani
authors: , , Respiratory Therapy Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Turki Faleh
authors: TF
authors: Alshammari
authors: Department of Medicine, King Fahad Security College, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mumtaz Ahmed
authors: MA
authors: Ansari
authors: Occupational Therapy Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Saleh
authors: S
authors: Al-Oraibi
authors: Academic and Research Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Shoeb
authors: S
authors: Qureshi
keywords: Biological effects; College of Applied Medical Sciences; exposure; passive smoking; students