[Passive smoking in young children in the Netherlands sharply decreased since 1996]

To describe the prevalence of passive smoking in young children and to analyse the trends in the prevalence of passive smoking in young children over time.

Retrospective, descriptive.

Data were derived from yearly samples of 500 to 800 adults living with children aged 0-4 years, who had completed a questionnaire on passive smoking and on several background characteristics. Data from 1996-2009 were analysed for trends in the prevalence of passive smoking and the relationship with characteristics such as smoking habits and socioeconomic status (SES).

The percentage of families with young children (0-4 years) reporting smoking at home decreased sharply, from 64 in 1996 to 19 in 2009. Passive smoking sharply decreased as well. The prevalence of smoking at home in the presence of children was 10% in 2009 versus 48% in 1996. After the implementation of the smoking ban in hotels, restaurants and pubs in 2008 a sharper decrease in passive smoking at home was found than in the preceding years, except for the families with a lower SES. Passive smoking still occurs in 14% of families with children aged 2-4, in 29% of the families with a lower SES and in 22% of the families with smokers. Nearly 40% of the heavy smokers still expose their child to tobacco smoke at home.

There is a distinct decrease in passive smoking at home in young children. In spite of this, there still are some groups of children that are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke. Preventive programs should be optimized to continue the decrease in passive smoking in these groups.