Environmental tobacco smoke of youngsters in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia--findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS)

Abstract

Objectives: To present data on Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Methods: A questionnaire survey of a representative sample of 16 918 schoolchildren aged 13-15 years (2002-2003).

Results: Exposure to ETS was reported more frequently in public places than in homes and more frequently from current smokers (CS) than from never smokers (NS). ETS in homes was lower in Czech (57.6% in CS, 24.7% in NS) than in other countries (the highest in Poland: 93.0% in CS, 80.9% in NS). ETS in public places was highest in Hungary (96.9% in CS, 89.2% in NS), lowest in Czech (90.1% in CS, 57.3% in NS). Most students considered ETS as harmful and presented positive attitudes towards smoking ban.

Discussion: ETS in studied countries, save the Czech Republic, exceeded the global prevalence, while the situation is better than in numerous other Eastern European countries.