scholarly journals From Smoking-Permitted to Smokefree Prisons: A 3-Year Evaluation of the Changes in Occupational Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke Across a National Prison System

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (9) ◽  
pp. 959-969
Author(s):  
Evangelia Demou ◽  
Ruaraidh Dobson ◽  
Helen Sweeting ◽  
Ashley Brown ◽  
Scott Sidwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Policy Implementation ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Prison System ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Smoking Ban ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Site Monitoring ◽  
Smokefree Policy ◽  
Shs Exposure

Abstract Objectives Prisons in Scotland were one of the few workplaces exempt from the 2006 comprehensive smoking ban in indoor public places, excluding the prison workforce from the health benefits of smokefree workplaces. The November 2018 introduction of comprehensive restrictions on smoking in Scottish prisons aimed to protect prison staff and people in custody from the harmful impacts of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure. This study presents SHS exposure data gathered after smokefree policy implementation and compares these with data gathered during and before policy development. Methods Dylos DC1700 monitors were used to measure concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) derived from SHS across Scotland’s 15 prisons. Six days of fixed-site monitoring (09.00 22 May 2019 to 09.00 28 May 2019) were conducted in residential halls in each prison 6 months post-smokefree policy implementation. Prison staff task-based measurements were conducted to assess concentrations of SHS in various locations (e.g. gyms and workshops) and during specific activities (e.g. cell searches, maintenance, and meal service). Utilizing the fixed-site monitoring data, typical daily PM2.5 exposure profiles were constructed for the prison service and time-weighted average (TWA) exposure concentrations were estimated for the typical shift patterns of residential staff pre- and post-smokefree policy implementation. Staff perceptions of changes to SHS exposure were assessed using online surveys. Results Analysis of both fixed-site and mobile task-based PM2.5 measurements showed the smokefree policy implementation was successful in reducing SHS exposures across the Scottish prison estate. Measured PM2.5 in residential halls declined markedly; median fixed-site concentrations reduced by more than 91% compared with measures in 2016 before policy announcement. The changes in the TWA concentrations across shifts (over 90% decrease across all shifts) and task-based measurements (89% average decrease for high-exposure tasks) provide evidence that prison staff exposure to SHS has significantly reduced. Following smokefree policy implementation, the majority of staff reported no longer being exposed to SHS at work. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive international study to objectively measure SHS levels before, during, and after implementation of a smokefree policy across a country’s prison system. The findings confirm that such a policy change can be successfully implemented to eliminate occupational exposures to SHS. The results are highly relevant for other jurisdictions considering changes to prison smoking legislation.

scholarly journals Changes in exposure to second-hand smoke following a smoking ban across a national prison system

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Demou ◽  
R Dobson ◽  
H Sweeting ◽  
A Brown ◽  
S Sidwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weighted Average ◽  
Prison System ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Smoking Ban ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Average Decrease ◽  
Site Monitoring ◽  
Smokefree Policy ◽  
Time Weighted Average

Abstract Background Prisons were one of few workplaces where smoking was still permitted after the smoking ban in indoor public places in Scotland in 2006. This study compares SHS exposure assessments in Scotland's 15 prisons six months after smokefree policy was introduced (in Nov 2018) with levels measured in 2016 before the policy was announced. Methods In 2016, 128,431 mins of PM2.5 (marker of SHS) concentration data were collected from residential halls and 2,860 mins for 'task-based' measures; 2019 figures were 126,777 and 3,073 mins. Six days of fixed-site monitoring in halls in each prison commenced on 22.5.19. Task-based measurements were conducted to assess SHS for specific locations and activities (e.g. cell searches). Typical daily PM2.5 exposure profiles were constructed for the prison service and time-weighted average exposure concentrations were estimated for shift patterns for residential staff pre- and post-implementation of the policy. Staff self-reports of exposure to SHS were gathered via surveys. Results Measured PM2.5 in residential halls declined markedly; median fixed-site concentrations reduced by > 91% compared to baseline. Changes in the task-based measurements (89% average decrease for high-exposure tasks) and time-weighted average concentrations across shifts (>90% decrease across all shifts), provide evidence that staff exposure to SHS has significantly reduced. The percentage of staff reporting no exposure to SHS rose post-ban. Conclusions This is the first study to objectively measure SHS levels before, during and after implementation of smokefree policy across a country's prison system. The dramatic reduction in SHS exposures confirm complementary qualitative data and stakeholder reports of the ban's success in removing tobacco. The findings show that SHS can be effectively eliminated through a well-applied smoking ban in the challenging context of prisons; and are highly relevant for other jurisdictions considering changes to prison smoking rules.

scholarly journals Prevalence of second-hand smoke exposure in houses in Turkey: a meta-analysis study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kılınç ◽  
C Çam ◽  
M F Önsüz ◽  
S Metintaş
Keyword(s):  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Second Hand Smoke Exposure ◽  
Shs Exposure

Abstract Background Second hand smoke(SHS) exposure means breathing the air polluted by someone else's cigarette smoke. The aim of the study was to perform a meta-analysis of studies about the in-house second hand smoke exposure prevalence in Turkey. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Turkey Citation Index, TR Index and the Cochrane library databases in the screening of articles published in Turkish and English languages “second hand smoke”, “prevalence” and “Turkey” keywords were used. Studies who were original, were cross-sectional, had the number of participants and the number of people exposed to in-house SHS, used age groups and were conducted in Turkey were in accordance with our inclusion criteria thus included in the study. Global tobacco surveys and studies using data from them were also included. OpenMeta[Analyst] program was used to calculate the prevalence rate of the study groups. Since the articles were p < 0.001 in the heterogeneity test, prevalence rate and 95% confidence intervals were calculated from the number of cases using the random effects model in group analysis. Results As a result of the scan, 59 articles were reached. Duplications were eliminated and summaries of the remaining articles were read as double-blind. Suitable for inclusion criteria and quality evaluation 11 studies were included in the meta analysis. Among them, 7 studies were conducted on people who are younger than 15 years. The meta analysis showed that the SHS exposure for those aged 15 and above was 12 097/30 138 (39.3%; 95% CI: 25.9-52.8) and for those younger than 15 was 57 028/112 547 (55.9%; 95% CI: 42.4-69.4). Conclusions As a result of the comprehensive literature research, it was found that the SHS exposure in houses is a huge problem for Turkey especially for the young people. Key messages The exposure to second-hand smoking in houses puts both youth and adult population’s health at risk in Turkey. Intervention programs should be commenced to tackle high exposure rates and in-house smoking.

scholarly journals Economic impacts of implementing a national smoke-free prison policy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
N McMeekin ◽  
K Hunt ◽  
A Brown ◽  
E Tweed ◽  
J Pell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Smoking Ban ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Smoking Bans ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Prison Staff ◽  
Prison Policy ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Shs Exposure

Abstract Background Worldwide, over 600,000 non-smokers are killed annually due to exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS); the UK societal cost of SHS is estimated at £700million per annum. Prior to recent smoke free policy in Scottish prisons smoking rates were very high (70-75%), well above population rates, subjecting people in custody (PiC) and prison staff to high levels of SHS. Eradicating SHS exposure in prisons could lead to improved health in previous smokers and non-smokers alike, and decrease demand on the National Health Service. However, to date, there is little evidence relating to the economic impact of smoking bans in prisons. Methods An economic evaluation estimating the short-term and lifetime impacts of smokefree prison policy in Scotland policy used data from the TIPs study (Jun 2016-Nov 2019) for prison staff and PiC. The analyses adopted a public health and personal perspective and key resources included: implementation costs, cessation support services, health service use and personal costs. For the short-term analyses data were sourced from TIPs staff and PiC surveys, and routine data from the Scottish Prison Service and NHS National Services Scotland. Outcomes included SHS exposure, staff sickness absence, violent incidents and quality adjusted life years (QALYs). The life-time analysis used a Markov model to estimate cost per QALY for both staff and PiC. Results SHS exposure measures show a median reduction of 91%. Costs and economic outcome results (mean cost pre- and post-ban, cost-consequences balance sheet and incremental cost per QALYs) are confidential until May 2020 due to their sensitivity and will be available to present at EUPHA 2020. Conclusions Previous economic evaluations have focussed on smoking bans in public places and raising the smoking age. This is the first economic analysis of a national prison smoking ban and analysis will be of interest to prison services in other jurisdictions which have yet to implement smokefree policy.

scholarly journals Airborne occupational exposures and the risk of developing respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction in the Lifelines Cohort Study

Thorax ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. thoraxjnl-2020-216721
Author(s):  
Md Omar Faruque ◽  
H Marike Boezen ◽  
Hans Kromhout ◽  
Roel Vermeulen ◽  
Ute Bültmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Airway Obstruction ◽  
Chronic Bronchitis ◽  
Chronic Cough ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Pesticides Exposure

ObjectivesTo date, only a few studies have investigated the associations between occupational exposures and respiratory outcomes longitudinally in the general population. We investigated the associations between occupational exposures and the development of respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction in the Lifelines Cohort Study.MethodsWe included 35 739 occupationally active subjects with data on chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis or airway obstruction at baseline and approximately 4.5 years follow-up. Exposures to biological dust, mineral dust, gases/fumes, pesticides, solvents and metals in the current job at baseline were estimated with the ALOHA+job-exposure matrix (JEM). Airway obstruction was defined as FEV1/FVC below the lower limit of normal. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for baseline covariates was used to investigate the associations.ResultsAt follow-up, 1888 (6.0%), 1495 (4.7%), 710 (2.5%) and 508 (4.5%) subjects had developed chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis and airway obstruction, respectively. High exposure to biological dust was associated with a higher odds to develop chronic cough and chronic bronchitis. High exposure to pesticides was associated with a higher odds for the development of all respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction. In the multiple exposures analyses, only the association between pesticides exposure and respiratory symptoms remained.ConclusionsSubjects exposed to high pesticides had a higher odds to develop respiratory symptoms on average 4.5 years later. Control measures should be taken to reduce pesticides exposure among the working population to prevent respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction.

scholarly journals Inadequate Gestational Weight Gain and Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke during Pregnancy Increase the Risk of Low Birth Weight: A Cross-Sectional Study among Full-Term Infants

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1068
Author(s):  
Muliana Edi ◽  
Yit Chin ◽  
Fui Woon ◽  
Geeta Appannah ◽  
Poh Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Shs Exposure ◽  
At Home

Despite the advancement of the healthcare system, low birth weight (LBW) remains as one of the leading causes of under-five mortality. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of LBW and its associated factors among 483 third trimester pregnant women recruited from six selected public health clinics in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Pregnant women were interviewed for information on socio-demographic characteristics, smoking behaviour, and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure at home and in the workplace. Information on the obstetrical history and prenatal care visits history were retrieved from the maternal medical records, while infant’s birth outcomes were retrieved from infant medical records. The prevalence of LBW (<2.5 kg) in infants was 10.4%, with a mean birth weight of 3.0 [standard deviation (SD) 0.4] kg. Results from the multivariable logistic regression model showed that inadequate weight gained during pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) = 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18–4.90] and exposure to SHS at home (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.03–3.55) were significantly associated with LBW. In conclusion, pregnant women should monitor their rate of weight gain throughout pregnancy and avoid SHS exposure at home to reduce the risk of delivering LBW infants.

scholarly journals Smoking status and second-hand smoke biomarkers in COPD, asthma and healthy controls

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 00192-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Bradicich ◽  
Macé M. Schuurmans
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Tobacco Exposure ◽  
Urinary Cotinine ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Shs Exposure

IntroductionTobacco smoke worsens COPD and asthma. For healthy individuals, quantifying active and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure clarifies the epidemiology of tobacco consumption and the efficacy of nonsmoking measures. Identifying tobacco exposure biomarkers and cut-offs might allow the creation of sensitive and specific tests.AimWe describe the state-of-the-art serum, urinary cotinine and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) cut-offs for assessing smoking status and SHS exposure in adult patients with COPD or asthma, and healthy controls.MethodologyAfter a keyword research in the PubMed database, we included papers reporting on the cut-offs of the investigated biomarkers in one of the populations of interest. Papers published before 2000, not in English, or reporting only data on nonadult subjects or on pregnant women were excluded from the analysis. 14 papers were included in the final analysis. We summarised diagnostic cut-offs for smoking status or SHS exposure in COPD, asthmatic and healthy control cohorts, reporting sensitivity and specificity when available.ConclusionSerum and urinary cotinine and exhaled CO are easy-to-standardise, affordable and objective tests for assessing smoking status and SHS exposure. Evidence on cut-offs with good sensitivity and specificity values is available mainly for healthy controls. For COPD and asthmatic patients, most of the currently available evidence focuses on exhaled CO, while studies on the use of cotinine with definite sensitivity and specificity values are still missing. Solid evidence on SHS exposure is available only for healthy controls. An integrated approach with a combination of these markers still needs evaluation.

scholarly journals Fathers’ Views and Experiences of Creating a Smoke-Free Home: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 5164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel O’Donnell ◽  
Kathryn Angus ◽  
Peter McCulloch ◽  
Amanda Amos ◽  
Lorraine Greaves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equity ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Language Studies ◽  
Shs Exposure ◽  
Gender Power ◽  
Attitudes And Knowledge ◽  
Successes And Challenges ◽  
Children’S Exposure

Enabling parents to create a smoke-free home is one of the key ways that children’s exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) can be reduced. Smoke-free home interventions have largely targeted mothers who smoke, and there is little understanding of the barriers and facilitators that fathers experience in creating a smoke-free home. Systematic searches combining terms for fathers, homes, and SHS exposure were run in April 2019 in Web of Science’s Citation Indices, PsycINFO, and PubMed for English-language studies published since 2008. The searches identified 980 records for screening, plus 66 records from other sources. Twelve studies reported in 13 papers were included in this scoping review. Eight of the studies were conducted in Asian countries (five in China, one in India, one in Japan, and one in Iran), three were conducted in Canada, and one in Turkey. Findings were extracted in verbatim text for thematic analysis. The review identified that attitudes and knowledge, cultural and social norms, gender power relations, and shifting perceptions and responsibilities related to fatherhood can impact on fathers’ views of their role in relation to creating and maintaining a smoke-free home. There were too few published studies that had assessed smoke-free home interventions with fathers to draw conclusions regarding effective approaches. Research is clearly needed to inform our understanding of fathers’ roles, successes and challenges in creating and maintaining a smoke-free home, so that father-inclusive rather than mother-led interventions can be developed to benefit entire households and improve gender equity as well as health.

Second-hand smoke and the risk of tuberculosis: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (15) ◽  
pp. 3158-3172 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. F. DOGAR ◽  
N. PILLAI ◽  
N. SAFDAR ◽  
S. K. SHAH ◽  
R. ZAHID ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Marked Variability ◽  
Shs Exposure ◽  
Study Designs

SUMMARYThere is limited evidence and lack of consensus whether second-hand smoke (SHS) increases risk of tuberculosis (TB), which has substantial implications for unrestricted smoking indoors and TB control policies. We aimed to establish the association between SHS and the risk of acquiring and worsening of TB in non-smokers. We identified 428 articles in the initial search and 12 comparative epidemiological studies met our inclusion criteria. Exposure to SHS was found to have a higher risk of TB infection [risk ratio (RR) 1·19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·90–1·57] compared to non-exposure; however, this did not reach statistical significance. There was marked variability (I2 = 74%, P = 0·0008) between studies’ results, which could be explained by the differences in the diagnostic criteria used. Exposure to SHS was found to be statistically significantly associated (RR 1·59, 95% CI 1·11–2·27) with the risk of TB disease. There was significant heterogeneity (I2 = 77%, P = 0·0006) between studies’ results, which was sourced to the internal characteristics of the studies rather than combining different study designs. We did not find any studies for SHS and TB treatment-related outcomes. Thus, we conclude that SHS exposure may increase the risk of acquiring TB infection and progression to TB disease; however, the evidence remains scanty and weak.

scholarly journals Second-hand smoke exposure prevalence among smokers versus non-smokers and relative change at sub-national level in India: a secondary analysis from Global Adult Tobacco Survey 1 and 2

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2419
Author(s):  
Sakshi Supehia ◽  
Shivam Kapoor ◽  
Pranay Lal ◽  
Rana J. Singh ◽  
Anushikha Dhankhar
Keyword(s):  
Public Transportation ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
National Level ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Shs Exposure ◽  
Relative Change

Background: Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) has been linked to the expanded risk of ill-effects on health every year. This study compared prevalence rates of SHS exposure between smokers and non-smokers within three different settings and states/union territories (UT) in India, during the period 2009-10 and 2016-17.Methods: The data from two rounds of nationally representative cross-sectional Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted in 2009-10 and 2016-17 were used. Further, the sociodemographic variables associated with exposure to SHS at different settings were analysed using multiple logistic regression analysis. All statistical inferences were based on a significance level of p<0.05.Results: Although there was a significant decrease in overall prevalence of SHS exposure among smokers and non-smokers at home, government offices, restaurants and, public transportation and slight decrease in health care facility (p<0.05); increased level of exposure was observed at workplace which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The prevalence of exposure to SHS varied significantly between smokers and non-smokers and differed greatly among states/UT as assessed by the relative change between GATS-1 and GATS-2. While Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and, Odisha were among the best-performing states; Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and, Madhya Pradesh were the worst-performers.Conclusions: The results confirmed that the prevalence rates of SHS exposure among non-smokers, were much higher as compared to smokers in all different settings along with state-wise disparities. This calls for the Policymakers for targeted effective enforcement of tobacco control laws, leading to a reduction in the consequences of SHS exposure.

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