Yvonne Yousey, RN, PhD, College of Health, Human Services, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223, 7046872948, ykyousey@uncc.edu

Household Factors and Tobacco Smoke Exposure of Young Children

Reducing secondhand smoke exposure is one of the four priorities identified by the World Health Organization for global tobacco prevention and control. Young children are especially vulnerable to health effects of smoke exposure and receive most exposure from parental smoking practices in their home. Little information is available on factors in households which impact smoking behaviors. This information is needed to develop effective strategies for reducing or preventing tobacco smoke exposure in homes.

The purpose of this study was to identify household characteristics associated with smoking policies in households. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of parents (n=20), 18 years and older, with children, age newborn through pre-school-age residing in the household. These interviews explored smoking practices and policies in households. Respect for household smoking rules by friends and relatives, previous experience with smoke exposure, and health protection of children emerged as themes related to household smoke exposure. The results were utilized in developing a survey further exploring household smoking policies.

Learning Objectives: