Second Hand Smoke (SHS) Awareness and Exposure in Residents of Resettled Colony of Chandigarh, India

Abstract

Second hand smoke (also known environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoking) means when a non-smoker inhales the smoke exhaled by a smoker from a tobacco product. World health organisation estimates that as a result of passive exposure to tobacco smoke each year 600,000 people die. There are 33% of men, 35% of women and 40% of children who do not smoke but are exposed to second hand smoke and still only 11% of world population is protected by adequate smoke free legislation. Scientific literature provides evidence that second hand smoking can result in numerous health effects for example asthma and allergies, respiratory infection ear infection cancer, cardiovascular diseases, retardation of growth and development in children, and in pregnancy it can lead to congenital anomalies and premature birth. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the awareness and exposure of SHS among the residents of north India. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 141 families. One member from each family was selected and was interviewed using semi-structured interview schedule. The results of study revealed the presence of smokers in 37% of families. Majority (92.9%) of subjects reported of being exposed to SHS, out of which maximum exposure was found at the bus stops and markets. Only 3.5% of residents were having good knowledge regarding SHS. Majority (80%) of study subjects were in the interest of strict enforcement of anti-tobacco legislations. Nearly half of the study subjects (51.8%) had poor knowledge, 44.4% had average knowledge. The study shows the need to aware people regarding SHS and its ill effects. The study also emphasise on the need of strict enforcement of Anti-tobacco legislation.

Keywords: Second Hand Smoke (SHS), Awareness, Exposure