Impact of Presence of Children on Indoor Tobacco Restrictions in Households of Urban and Rural Adult Tobacco Users

Objectives

Secondhand smoke exposure in children is changing as a result of new public policy and electronic nicotine products (e-cigarettes). We examined factors related to self-imposed indoor household tobacco restrictions, with emphasis on children in the household and associations with combustible and noncombustible product use.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of urban and rural Ohio adult tobacco users classified participants as exclusive combustible users, smokeless tobacco (SLT) users, e-cigarette users, or dual users. They were further stratified according to combustible or noncombustible product use and the presence of indoor tobacco use restrictions. Multiple logistic regression determined factors associated with indoor tobacco restrictions.

Results

A total of 1210 tobacco users participated, including 25.7% with children living in the home. Half allowed combustible and two thirds allowed noncombustible tobacco use indoors. Urban location (odds ratio [OR]?=?1.58), younger age (OR?=?0.88 per 5 year), male sex (OR?=?1.40), college education (OR?=?1.40), household income?of more than $15,000 (OR?=?1.78), and being married (OR?=?2.43) were associated with a higher likelihood of banning combustible products indoors. SLT (OR?=?8.12) and e-cigarette (OR?=?5.85) users were more likely to have indoor bans compared to combustible users. Children in the household (OR?=?1.89), older age (OR?=?1.12 per 5 years), and nonwhite race (OR?=?1.68) were associated with a higher likelihood of banning noncombustible products indoors. Combustible (OR?=?4.54) and e-cigarette (OR?=?3.04) users were more likely than SLT users to have indoor bans.

Conclusions

Indoor restrictions on tobacco use remain infrequent in homes with children and are associated with user type and socioeconomic factors. Public policy should target modifiable risk factors for in-home secondhand smoke exposure.