PhD Scientific Days 2023

Mental Health Sciences II.

Understanding the factors associated with smoke-free and aerosol-free homes among Hungarian cohabiting couples: a cross-sectional online survey

Text of the abstract

Introduction
The establishment of smoke- and aerosol-free households plays a critical role in promoting anti-tobacco socialization. Its significance lies in the reduction of secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke and aerosols emitted by e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Aims
The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the relationship between voluntary household rules regarding traditional smoking and sociodemographic factors and (2) to investigate the relationship between voluntary household rules regarding e-cigarette and/or heated tobacco product (EHTPs) and sociodemographic factors.
Method
This research utilized an online cross-sectional survey to collect data from Hungarian adults in November 2022. The survey included questions about smoking and other nicotine product use for both the respondent and their partner. Participants were asked about voluntary ban on indoor smoking and/or alternative tobacco product use, as well as sociodemographic variables. The unit of analysis was couples, and statistical methods such as Z-tests, Cohen's h, cross tabulation, 95% confidence intervals, and binomial LASSO regression were used.
Results
The survey results showed that couples reported having indoor smoking bans at higher rate than indoor EHTPs use bans. The effect size is small, but significant (80.1% vs 75.1%, respectively, p=0.03, h=0.12). Among the couples surveyed, 73.1% of single-smoker couples reported having indoor smoking bans, while only 44.4% of dual-smoker couples did so (p<0.001, h=0.6). In contrast, only 34.3% of single-ENTDS user couples and 19.2% of dual-ENTDS user couples reported indoor EHTPs use bans (p=0.01, h=0.3). Tobacco use was negatively associated with having smoke-free and aerosol-free households. On the other hand, couples with better financial status, higher education, and more minors living in the household were more likely to report having indoor smoking bans. However, none of these sociodemographic variables were found to be associated with indoor EHTPs use bans.
Conclusions
The findings of our study underscore the significance of raising awareness about the health risks associated with various forms of tobacco use. To safeguard the health of non-users, especially minors, it is crucial to promote smoke- and aerosol-free policies among all tobacco users.
Funding: This research was supported by the Hungarian Academy of Science "High-risk/high yield research on post-COVID phenomena fund" (PC2022 II-5/2022) and by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office in Hungary (RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00006, Data-Driven Health Division of National Laboratory for Health Security).