Abstract

A STUDY ON EFFECTS OF PASSIVE SMOKING

S. Ramya*, Ch. Pravalya, P. Shruthi Reddy, Dr. G. Sushmitha, Dr. Shetty Mallikarjun

ABSTRACT

According to World Health Organization tobacco is the leading cause of death world wide. Passive smoking or Environmental tobacco smoking (ETS) exposure is also known as “Second hand smoking” or “Involuntary smoke”. It may cause pulmonary or extra pulmonary health effects. Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 chemicals in the form of particles and gases, they have irritant properties and found to be suspected human carcinogens. Women have unique heath effects like reproductive and non reproductive problems and beside these disease which are common to both genders rise in women. Children exposed with this smoke have serious respiratory illness than adults. Inhalation of the second hand smoke is hazardous to adults and particularly in children and may cause lung cancer and coronary heart disease in non-smoker adults. ETS exposure has been reported to increase bronchial reactivity to histamine in asthmatics. Objective biomarker of exposure tobacco have been identified. Plasma cotinine was the marker of choice. Influence of passive smoking on pulmonary tests has also been examined and functional disorders of bronchioles have been detected. Aim: The aim of the present study is to educate about the passive smoking and to examine the knowledge about passive smoking among the various groups of people. Objectives:  Identification of the main sources of exposure.  To provide knowledge and to create awareness about passive smoking among the people.  To identify the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among smokers and passive smokers.  To evaluate the impact of counseling on passive smoking.  To reduce the main source of ETS exposure. Methodology: The survey aimed in monitoring the relationship between passive smoking and lung function (PEFR), assessing the knowledge about passive smoking in public, followed by counseling. The study was conducted for a time period of 8 months. The study was approved by the institutional ethical committee and in a secondary care hospital which is a 150 bedded. Study population was selected irrespective of gender and age with the consent to participate in our study. The study participants were categorized into three groups as smokers, passive smokers and non-smokers, each of 500 were included in the study with their consent to participate in it. The study included both literates and illiterates. PEFR is assessed individually. The respiratory problems, peak flow rates and their knowledge on passive smoking was assessed and after that counseling was made. Peak flow meter used to assess peak expiratory flow rate, the cursor (PEFR value) indicates the number and total three values are taken and average of those are then calculated. Based on readings and markings of peak flow meter, the subjects were placed into three zones. The data obtained were entered in Microsoft and analyzed using graph pad. Continuous variables were represented as Mean + or – standard deviation and categorized variables were represented as frequency. For comparing two proportions paired T-test was applied and to evaluate the impact of smoking and passive smoking on lung function, multiple linear regression analysis was done. Conclusion: Passive smoking is one of the major problems in the world which effects the community even without their knowledge. As many non-smokers were being hospitalized because of exposure to second hand smoking. Many children are suffering from COPD and Asthma due to passive smoking which is one of the leading cause of cancer and deaths in world. Through this study we conclude that by creating awareness among the people about passsive smoking and implementing the smoke free laws by the government we can prevent the morbidities and mortalities related due to exposure to passive smoking and can save life of public and health of children.

Keywords: Passive smoking, Second hand smoking, Peak expiratory flow rate.