Cantabria took part in the international ECTOH (European Conference on Tobacco or Health), held in Milan, with the oral presentation “Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in households in Cantabria: the influence of minors on indoor smoking behaviours.”
The abstract, selected by the conference’s scientific committee for oral communication format, was presented by Ana P. Medina within Work Package 6 of the European project Joint Action for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, carried out by the Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and the Directorate-General for Public Health of Cantabria. The study analyses how the presence of minors influences tobacco consumption practices inside the home.
Based on a sample of 5,565 participants, the results show that one in three minors is exposed to smoke in indoor areas of the home. In addition, 53% reported that smoking takes place on balconies or terraces, and 37.7% near windows.
The authors conclude that a false perception of safety persists regarding smoking on balconies, terraces or next to windows, even though these practices do not eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke.
Following these results, the “Smoke-Free Homes” programme is currently being developed in Cantabria—an initiative also promoted in Catalonia and the Valencian Community—which aims to raise awareness among families about the risks of exposure to tobacco and vaping smoke in the domestic environment, promoting completely smoke-free spaces to protect family health.
