| Summary: | Background
Protection
from second-hand smoke (SHS) is one of the fundamental principles of the World
Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. Scarce data are
available on SHS exposure in private areas, such as vehicles. This study aimed
to estimate prevalence of smoking inside vehicles and assess the consequent
levels of exposure.
Methods
Levels of
fine respirable particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less (PM 2.5 )
were measured in five experimental models in smokers' and non-smokers' vehicles.
Prevalence of smoking in vehicles
was estimated in two steps: direct observation of vehicles in different socio economic status areas, and further correction for
detectability.
Results
Median PM 2.5 concentration was 181 µg/m3 in “smoking vehicles” and 0 µg/m3 in “non-smoking vehicles” (p˂0.001). The highest concentration reached 2900 µg/m3 in a parked car with driver's window partially open. We observed 10,011 vehicles. In 219 (2.2%; 95% confidence interval, 1.91-2.49) of them, smoking was observed, and in 29.2% of these, another person was exposed to SHS. According to the multiplying factor we constructed, direct observation detected one of six to nine vehicles in which smoking occurred. The observed prevalence of smoking in vehicles (2.2%) could reflect a real prevalence between 12% and 19%.
Conclusions
Smoking was found to occur in 12% to 19% of vehicles,
with involuntary exposure in one of three. Concentration of particular matter
in vehicles reached very high levels, similar to those at certain sites in countries
with weak tobacco control policies. These facts underscore a need for new
public policies to eliminate SHS in vehicles to protect public health.
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