| Summary: | Introduction
Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure affects tobacco related health
behaviors during adolescence and persists into adulthood. This study aimed to
investigate the influence of SHS exposure on tobacco use among adolescents
stratified by school and gender, and provide recommendations for controlling
tobacco use in youth.
Methods
Through stratified random cluster sampling, 12278 selected students
(aged 13–18 years) from schools in China were administered questionnaires.
Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze whether SHS exposure would
increase the smoking risk and susceptibility of adolescents.
Results
The prevalence of SHS exposure among the participating students was
74.8%. Adolescents exposed to SHS were at higher odds of being susceptible and
currently smoking. Students with SHS exposure at both home and public places
accounted for 36.6%, greatly increasing the current smoking risk and smoking
susceptibility. Home SHS exposure had greater impact on the current tobacco
use of boys (OR=2.13; 95% CI: 1.50–3.03) and junior school students (OR=4.67;
95% CI: 2.41–9.06). Exposure from public places increased the risk of current
smoking in boys (OR=4.20; 95% CI: 2.31–7.65) and smoking susceptibility of
vocational school students (OR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.07–2.15). Students with highlevel
exposure to SHS had 2.25 times higher odds of e-cigarette use.
Conclusions
The prevalence of SHS exposure is still high among adolescents in
China and is associated with increased risk for tobacco use regardless of gender
and school level. Effective smoke-free strategies should be developed and strictly
implemented. Boys and junior school students constitute vulnerable populations
exposed to SHS at home.
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