Children's exposure to secondhand smoke at home in Seoul, Korea.

here is little information about Korean children's secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home. This paper examines the extent and determinants of their SHS exposure at home. A population-based random digit dial telephone survey was conducted in 2002 with 500 adults in Seoul. We analyzed data for 207 adults with children living in the household. Thirty-one percent of respondents reported children' s SHS exposure at home. The mean weekly dose was 5 cigarettes among exposed children. Multiple logistic regression results showed that children's odds of SHS exposure at home increased if the respondent or spouse smoked, if the respondent's parent smoked, if smoking was allowed in the home, and if fewer groups discouraged smoking. Stronger protective measures are urged, such as widespread increase in home smoking bans and discouragement of smoking.

Secondhand smoke exposure among nonsmoking adults in Seoul, Korea.

Despite having one of the highest smoking rates among men, information about secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among Korean adults is lacking. This study describes SHS exposure among Korean men and women. The results were derived from a population-based, cross-sectional telephone survey conducted with 332 adult nonsmokers in Seoul. Sixty-eight percent of nonsmokers were exposed to SHS during a typical day. Exposure was most common in locations other than home and work, where 57% of respondents were exposed, compared to 26% at home and 25% at work. However, among those exposed, the greatest dose of exposure occurred at work (9 cigarettes/day), followed by at home (6 cigarettes/day). Men were more likely to be exposed to SHS at work than women. For men, lack of home smoking bans and strong belief in traditional Korean values were independently associated with SHS exposure in any location. For women, younger age, family members' smoking (non-spouse), and having fewer sources of anti-SHS messages were independently associated with SHS exposure anywhere. The results highlight the need for strong, comprehensive SHS control measures, such as a complete ban of smoking in all workplaces and public places, as well as public health campaigns to promote home smoking bans and non-smoking norms.