Smoke-free homes in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic – a nationwide cross-sectional survey

• Authors: Aurelia Ostrowska , Jarosław Pinkas , Wojciech Giermaziak , Waldemar Wierzba , Mariusz Gujski , Mateusz Jankowski

Abstracts

EN

Objectives Secondhand smoke exposure causes serious health problems. Banning smoking in public venues decreases exposure to secondhand smoke. However, the implementation of smoke-free rules in a private setting (including homes) is largely voluntary. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of voluntary smoke-free home rules in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to identify factors associated with the voluntary implementation of smoking bans at home. Material and Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2022 with a nationally representative sample of 1090 individuals aged ≥18 years in Poland. Data were collected using a computerassisted web interviewing (CAWI) technique. The research tool was an original questionnaire developed for the purpose of this study. Results Nationally, 60.6% of individuals had total ban on smoking in home (100% smoke-free home rules), 34.0% had implemented a partial smokefree home rule and 5.4% had not implemented any smoke-free home rules. Over three-quarters of non-smokers (76.8%) and only one-fifth of smokers (20.7%) had adopted a full smoke-free home rule. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, males (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.22–2.22, p < 0.01), non-smokers (OR = 13.78, 95% CI: 9.80–19.38, p < 0.001), respondents who had higher education (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.15–2.14, p < 0.01) as well as those who lived alone (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.52–3.90, p < 0.001) had higher odds of having a 100% smoke-free home rule. Conclusions This study demonstrated the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of smoke-free home rules in Poland. Less than two-thirds of the Polish population has adopted a total smoke-free home rule, with significant gaps between smokers and nonsmokers. Information on current voluntary smoke-free rules will be useful for further implementation of the smoke-free law in Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(1):84–95

Keywords

EN

Poland; secondhand smoke; smoking ban; passive smoking; tobacco control; smoke-free policy

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2022
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 84-95

Dates

published

2023

Contributors

author

Aurelia Ostrowska

• Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland (School of Public Health)

author

Jarosław Pinkas

• Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland (School of Public Health)

author

Wojciech Giermaziak

• The Stanisław Konopka Main Medical Library, Warsaw, Poland

author

Waldemar Wierzba

• Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
• University of Humanities and Economics in Łódź, Warsaw, Poland (UHE Satellite Campus in Warsaw)

author

Mariusz Gujski

• Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland (Department of Public Health)

author

Mateusz Jankowski

• Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland (School of Public Health)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02002

Biblioteka Nauki

2197836