Exposure to Secondhand Smoke and Secondhand E-Cigarette Aerosol Among Middle and High School Students

Introduction:
This text is a research article that discusses the exposure of US middle and high school students to secondhand smoke (SHS) and secondhand aerosol from e-cigarettes (SHA) in public places. The article presents data from the 2015 and 2017 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) and investigates the prevalence of exposure to SHS and SHA in indoor and outdoor public places. The study also examines the patterns of exposure and the factors associated with exposure.

Key Points:

* The study found no significant change in the overall prevalence of exposure to SHS or SHA in public places between 2015 and 2017.
* Over half of the students (55.1%) reported exposure to either SHS or SHA in public places in 2017.
* Female students, high school students, current e-cigarette users, and current users of other tobacco products were more likely to report exposure to SHS and SHA.
* Non-Hispanic black students were less likely to report exposure to SHS and SHA.
* Household member use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, was associated with increased reporting of SHS and SHA exposure.
* Exclusive exposure to SHA was reported by 4.7% of students in 2017.
* Exposure to SHS and SHA was more likely among students who reported that a household member used exclusively combustible tobacco products or exclusively e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study highlights the ongoing exposure of US middle and high school students to SHS and SHA in public places. The findings suggest that current smoke-free policies may not be sufficient to protect students from exposure to tobacco product emissions. The study emphasizes the need for fully enforced, comprehensive, smoke-free policies for indoor environments that include both combustible and electronic tobacco products to reduce the social acceptability of tobacco product use and protect bystanders from all tobacco product emissions. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of addressing the use of e-cigarettes in households with children to reduce exposure to nicotine during adolescence, a critical period of brain development.

Gentzke, Andrea S., Teresa W. Wang, Kristy L. Marynak, Katrina F. Trivers, and Brian A. King. “Exposure to Secondhand Smoke and Secondhand E-Cigarette Aerosol Among Middle and High School Students.” Preventing Chronic Disease 16 (April 4, 2019): 180531. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd16.180531.