Publication details
Podmínky pro program „Nekuřácké domovy": předběžné výsledky
| Title in English | The conditions for the "Smoke-free homes" program: preliminary results |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Česko-slovenská pediatrie |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Hygiene |
| Keywords | passive smoking; children; smoke-free homes |
| Description | Nowadays, many countries worldwide have accepted laws to ban smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, to protect no-smokes from the risk of passive smoking. These restrictions cannot protect children, the most vulnerable population, from their exposure at homes and private motor vehicles. The health risk for children is not only inhalation of the secondhand smoke, but also contacts with persisting thirdhand smoke and risks of domestic accidents (fires, burns, poisoning). Close relatives are also models to be imitated. The widespread movements invited smokers voluntary create smoke free homes and smoke-free cars were impulses to seek conditions for such approach in our society. Methods: The managers of two primary schools and one kindergarten were interested for the project Smoke-Free homes realization. Two informative brochures, leaflets for parents and stories for children, sticks for the determination of smoke-free rules were prepared as well as the oral presentation for parents. The anonymous questionnaire about children knowledge, attitudes and exposure to relatives' smoking were filled in face-to-face discussion with trained medical students. Another questionnaire for parent included some similar questions. Results: Together 128 children aged 5-8 years (34 from kindergarten and 94 from the 2nd class of primary schools), and their parents were invited for the participation. Half of all children had smokers in their close relatives. Although the majority of children declared that smoking is not allowed in their homes, 25% of children are directly exposed to their relatives smoking. More than 95% of children do not like smoking, mainly due to the bad smell and irritation. They have appropriate knowledge about health risks of active and passive smoking. While almost 83% of children declare, they will not smoke in future, 17% are thinking about it; more of them live in smoking families. The responsive rate from parents was 60%; they were good educated (high schools/university). Almost 30% of them were smokers and 20% had smoking partners. Majority (82%) of parents claimed the rules for smoke-free environment at homes, including also smoking visitors. Despite of the good education, 20% did not admit the contribution of smoking to cancers (other than of lung), and 30% of parents do not understand the role of the bad model of smokers for their children. Nevertheless, they refused the discussion about these topics. Conclusion: The Czech society is not fully prepared to accept comprehensive approach to protect children against their exposure to passive smoking. It is necessary to state this topic as a politic priority. |
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