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Prevalence of passive smoking in infancy in The Netherlands
M R Crone1, R A Hirasing, R J Burgmeijer
1TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, The Netherlands. mr.crone@pg.tno.nl
Insights
Many infants experience passive smoking at home, with significant exposure during feeding and in cars. Healthcare providers should educate parents on the dangers of secondhand smoke for babies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Secondhand smoke exposure in infancy is a significant health concern.
- Understanding the prevalence and patterns of infant exposure is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of passive smoking among infants.
- To identify specific environments and situations where infants are exposed to tobacco smoke.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing self-report questionnaires administered to parents at well-baby clinics.
- Data collected from parents of 2720 infants aged 1-14 months regarding smoking habits and exposure.
- Response rate of 63% (1702 parents) provided data for analysis.
Main Results:
- Parental smoking prevalence: 24% of mothers and 33% of partners smoked.
- Home smoking prevalence: 44% of families had at least one smoker; 39% smoked at home.
- Infant exposure: 42% exposed in living rooms, 8% in cars, 4% during feeding.
- Exposure varied by smoking parent: mother-only (13% feeding exposure), partner-only (18% car exposure), both parents (73% living room exposure).
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of infants are exposed to passive smoke, particularly in living areas.
- Targeted advice for parents, especially regarding smoking during feeding and in cars, is necessary.
- Healthcare professionals should systematically inform parents about the risks of passive smoking in infancy and provide cessation support or harm reduction strategies.
Abstract:
The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of passive smoking in infancy. This was done by self-report questionnaires completed by parents who attended the well-baby clinic in the period February-May 1996. A total of 2720 questionnaires were spread among parents with babies between 1 and 14 months: smoking and non-smoking parents. The questionnaires contained questions on smoking habits, smoking at home, smoking in presence of the baby. A total of 1702 parents filled in and returned the questionnaire (63%); 24% of the mothers and 33% of their partners smoked. In 44% of the families, one or more persons smoked; 22% of the mothers and 26% of the partners smoked at home. In 39% of the families, one or both parents smoked at home; 42% of the babies were exposed to tobacco smoke in the living-room, 8% were exposed in the car, and 4% during feeding. In cases where only the mother smoked, 13% of the infants were exposed to tobacco smoke during feeding. In the families where only the partner smoked, the babies were predominantly exposed to smoke in the car (18%). If both parents smoked, the child was most frequently exposed to tobacco smoke in the living-room (73%). It can be concluded that health workers, nurses, pediatricians and family physicians should be advised to inform parents systematically of the harmful effects of passive smoking in infancy. If parents are unable or unwilling to stop smoking, it is important to advise them to refrain from smoking in the presence of the baby.