A stop to ‘second hand’ smoke
A study of cigarette smoke exposure in multi-unit housing has been instrumental in achieving proposed New South Wales Strata by-law reforms banning smoking in common areas.
In a recent paper, published in the international journal Preventive Medicine, Associate Professor Billie Bonevski, from the University of Newcastle, drew extensive data from almost 161,000 participants in the state wide 45 and Up study.
More than 250,000 people — one in 10 NSW men and women aged over 45 years — are participating in the 45 and Up Study, in what has been described as the ‘largest’ ongoing study of healthy ageing in the Southern Hemisphere.
By following such a large group of people over the long term, researchers are developing a ‘world class’ research resource that can be used to boost our understanding of how Australians are ageing.
This will answer important health and qualityoflife questions and help manage and prevent illness through improved knowledge of conditions such as cancer, heart disease, depression, obesity and diabetes.
Among this group, more than 12,000 people, including 8,000 non-smokers, were routinely exposed to smoke in their homes for eight hours or more per week – more than 7,000 were exposed for at least eight hours per day.
Multi-unit dwellers were 19% more likely to be exposed than those living in houses, with women more likely to be exposed than men because they tend to spend more time at home.
Associate Professor Bonevski was surprised by the number of people reporting exposure to second-hand smoke in their homes and workplaces.
“We tend to think of Australia as a mostly non-smoking society with a lot of existing restrictions on smoking in public places,” she said.
“It wasn't surprising however that we found exposure was highest among those living in postcode areas classified as lower socio-economic status. In Australia the general population smoking rate is 15% to 18% whereas among low income earners, the unemployed and those with mental illness, for example, rates are 50% and as high as 90%.”
Associate Professor Bonevski said previous international research had tracked how nicotine travels through buildings via elevator shafts, stairwells, air conditioning systems and even under balcony doors.
“It's the best feeling, as a researcher, to see the NSW Government respond,” Associate Professor Bonevski said. “The data is good, solid, conclusive evidence that second-hand smoking is a problem, and for those results to be taken up by policy makers is the reason we do what we do.”
The NSW government is expected to introduce the by-laws in mid 2014.
