A new survey estimates the percentage of smoke-free homes in Europe.
Seven out of ten homes in Europe smoking freebut there are large differences between countries. A new survey of more than 11,700 people across 12 European countries reveals the best and worst countries for smoking at home. The results of the survey have been published ERJ Open Researchmagazine European Respiratory Society.
The survey also found almost: one in five households It wasn’t completely smoke-free, but it had some rules.
Which countries in Europe are ranked best and worst?
Greece occupied lastplace Only from 12 countries 44% of free houses Romania, Bulgaria and Spain follow the smoke.
England tops the list with almost 85% smoke-free homesThis is followed by Ireland, Latvia and Italy. “With this research, we wanted to examine household smoking norms in the general population. Europe. “Although some national studies have been conducted, no multi-country research has been conducted in Europe since 2010.” he said in a statement Olena Tigova, author of the study from the Tobacco Control Unit Catalan Institute of Oncologyin spain .
“Countries Northern Europe While the number of smoke-free homes is increasing, Eastern Europe and less rich countries “There are more homes with partial smoking policies that allow smoking in certain areas or in certain situations,” he added. smoke free homes It was common in people aged 65 and over, women, highly educated people, and people with children.
Many European countries have been applying since 2004 smoking ban rules in public spaces. However, private spaces, especially houses, continue to exist. Frequent smoking places and exposure to tobacco smoke. The study had some limitations, including its reliance on self-reported data and face-to-face interviews; Therefore, the prevalence of smoke-free homes, exaggerated. In addition, only traditional consumption cigarettes.
Risks of secondhand smoke
Secondhand smoking is linked to a number of conditions such as lung cancer and heart disease, the same diseases that people suffer from. smokers. Pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to give birth prematurely, while children are at higher risk of respiratory problems, asthma and allergies. UK NHS.
The authors of the study attribute this approximately as follows: 24,000 adult deaths inside Europe. According to researchers, the number of smoke-free homes in Europe is increasing by approximately 1% each year. “However, at this slow pace, it could take another 30 years for all of this to happen. houses in europe It was smoke free. “To speed up the process, tobacco control measures must be strengthened,” he says. let’s share.
“Expansion anti-smoking laws in workplaces, public spaces, and some private spaces such as cars, along with new mitigating strategies. tobacco use at home“It will help make more European homes smoke-free in less time,” he added.
