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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 1999 Jul 1;90(4):244–249. doi: 10.1007/BF03404125

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Patterns: A Subanalysis of the Canadian Human Time-Activity Pattern Survey

Judith A Leech 17,✉, Kerri Wilby 17, Edmund McMullen 17
PMCID: PMC6980188  PMID: 10489721

Abstract

This subanalysis of the Canadian Human Activity Pattern Survey examines environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in non-smoking respondents relative to age, sex, socioeconomic status and prevalence of asthma. 2,381 respondents (response rate 64.5%) from Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Saint John completed a 24-hour recall time-activity diary. For each activity and location, respondents were asked, “was there any smoking during the activity?” Among non-smoking adults, youth, children and asthmatics, the rates of ETS exposure were 32%, 34%, 30% and 42% respectively. Regarding the location of exposure, adults reported ETS exposure in various locations (work, bars and restaurants), including home. Children experienced the most exposure at home, primarily between 4 p.m. and midnight. Adults reported ETS mainly in the living room (16%) and vehicles (13%); for children, the living room (22%) and the bedroom (13%) were the most common locations. Determining characteristic time and location patterns for ETS exposure underpins educational strategies to help non-smokers avoid ETS exposure.

Footnotes

Dr. J. Leech was supported through an Interchange Canada agreement between the University of Ottawa and Health Canada

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