Abstract

PRECIOSO, José et al. Exposure of students to tobacco smoke at home before and after a new anti-smoking law: a cross-sectional study. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.4, pp.235-243. ISSN 2182-5173.

Aims: This study aims to assess the impact of the new Portuguese anti-smoking law of 2007 on the exposure to tobacco smoke at home. Study type: Three observational and cross-sectional studies Setting: Elementary schools in Braga, Portugal Population: 4th grade students in Braga Methods: Self-report questionnaires were distributed in the classrooms. Chi-square tests were used to compare categorical variables. Three observational studies were performed on similar samples at three different times. The first was conducted on 793 students in 2007 before passage of the law. The second was conducted on 513 students in 2010 and the third on 509 students in 2011, after passage of the law. Results: The proportion of children exposed to daily or occasional environmental tobacco smoke by at least one person who smokes at home decreased from 43.2% in 2007 to 19.9% in 2011 (p<0.001). Conclusions: Passage of the Portuguese anti-smoking law may be associated with a reduction in tobacco use in the home.

Keywords : Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Smoking; Environmental Exposure; Prevention & Control.

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