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Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Patterns: A Subanalysis of the Canadian Human Time-Activity Pattern Survey

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Abstract

This subanalysis of the Canadian Human Activity Pattern Survey examines environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in non-smoking respondents relative to age, sex, socioeconomic status and prevalence of asthma. 2,381 respondents (response rate 64.5%) from Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Saint John completed a 24-hour recall time-activity diary. For each activity and location, respondents were asked, “was there any smoking during the activity?” Among non-smoking adults, youth, children and asthmatics, the rates of ETS exposure were 32%, 34%, 30% and 42% respectively. Regarding the location of exposure, adults reported ETS exposure in various locations (work, bars and restaurants), including home. Children experienced the most exposure at home, primarily between 4 p.m. and midnight. Adults reported ETS mainly in the living room (16%) and vehicles (13%); for children, the living room (22%) and the bedroom (13%) were the most common locations. Determining characteristic time and location patterns for ETS exposure underpins educational strategies to help non-smokers avoid ETS exposure.

Résumé

Cette sous-analyse de l’étude intitulée ‘Canadian Human Activity Pattern Survey’ porte sur l’exposition à la fumée de tabac ambiante (FTA) chez les répondants non fumeurs selon l’âge, le sexe, la situation socioéconomique et la prévalence de l’asthme. Un total de 2 381 répondants (taux de réponse de 64,5 %) à Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton et Saint-Jean (N.B.) ont tenu un journal de 24 heures de leurs activités. Pour chaque activité et endroit, les participants ont répondu à la question: «Est-ce que quelqu’un a fumé durant l’activité? » Chez les non-fumeurs adultes, adolescents, infantiles et asthmatiques, les taux d’exposition à la FTA ont été respectivement de 32%, 34%, 30% et 42%. En ce qui a trait au lieu de l’exposition, les adultes ont rapporté des expositions en divers endroits (travail, bars et restaurants), y compris à la maison. Les enfants ont subi la plus grande exposition à la maison, surtout entre 16 h et minuit. Les adultes ont signalé la présence de FTA principalement au salon (16%) et dans des véhicules (13%); pour les enfants, le salon (22%) et la chambre à coucher (13%) étaient les locations les plus courantes. La détermination de contextes caractéristiques d’exposition à la FTA selon l’heure et le lieu peut étayer les stratégies éducatives visant à aider les non-fumeurs à éviter l’exposition à la FTA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Quality Health Effects Research Section, Monitoring and Criteria Section, and Biostatistics Section, Environmental Health Directorate, Health Canada Respiratory Unit, Canada

    Judith A. Leech, Kerri Wilby & Edmund McMullen

Authors
  1. Judith A. Leech
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  2. Kerri Wilby
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  3. Edmund McMullen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Judith A. Leech.

Additional information

Dr. J. Leech was supported through an Interchange Canada agreement between the University of Ottawa and Health Canada

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Leech, J.A., Wilby, K. & McMullen, E. Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Patterns: A Subanalysis of the Canadian Human Time-Activity Pattern Survey. Can J Public Health 90, 244–249 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404125

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404125

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