Exposure to secondhand smoke in vehicles among Canadian adolescents: Years after the adoption of smoke-free car laws

Abstract

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) can result in several adverse health consequences. SHS concentrations in vehicles can significantly exceed levels present in other enclosed spaces. Years after the adoption of smoke-free car laws, this study examined the prevalence of exposure to SHS in vehicles among adolescents. Data were utilized from the 2016-2017 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (n = 48,444). The prevalence of exposure to SHS in cars was estimated by grade level and demographic characteristics. The results showed a gradient by grade level in exposure to SHS with students in upper-grade levels reporting a higher prevalence of SHS in cars. SHS varied by province, with the lowest rate found in British Columbia (15.6%) and the highest in Saskatchewan (36.9%). The provinces with laws that extend protections to older children also had high rates of SHS exposure among students in upper-grade levels. Students exposed to SHS were more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including the use of marijuana, alcohol, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes. Despite laws prohibiting smoking in vehicles carrying children, SHS prevalence remains high. While enforcement of these laws may be challenging, persuasion campaigns highlighting that children are especially vulnerable to the health risks of SHS may be beneficial.

Keywords: Adolescents; Environmental tobacco smoke; Secondhand smoke exposure; Smoke-free car laws; Tobacco smoke concentrations.

Fig. 1

Smoking restriction policy in vehicles carrying children in Canada. *Applicable age refers to under the age (i.e., 16 means smoking is prohibited in a vehicle carrying someone under 16).

Fig. 2

Exposure to secondhand smoking in vehicles by grade.

Fig. 3

Exposure to secondhand smoking in vehicles by demographic characteristics. *Rao-Scott Chi-Square tests were used for comparing SHS exposure in vehicles by demographic characteristics between students in Grades 7–9 and Grades 10–12.