Increases in Secondhand Smoke After Going Smoke Free: An Assessment of the Impact of a Mandated Smoke-Free Housing Policy
Menée aux Etats-Unis de 2017 à 2018, cette étude analyse les taux de nicotine et des particules fines PM2,5 en suspension dans l'air à l'intérieur de 6 immeubles d'habitation après la mise en place de règles anti-tabac au domicile
The 12-month impact of federally-mandated smoke free housing (SFH) policy adoption (July 2018) was assessed using two markers of ambient secondhand smoke (SHS): airborne nicotine and particulate matter at the 2.5 micrometer threshold (PM2.5).We measured markers of SHS in Norfolk, VA from December 2017 to December 2018 in six federally-subsidized multi-unit public housing buildings. Multi-level regression was used to model the following comparisons: (1) the month immediately before SFH implementation vs. the month immediately after, and (2) December, 2017 vs. December, 2018.There was a 27% reduction in indoor PM2.5 and a 32% reduction in airborne nicotine in the first month after SFH adoption, compared to the month prior to adoption. However, there was a 33% increase in PM2.5 and a 25% increase in airborne nicotine after 12 months.HUD-mandated SFH can reduce SHS in multi-unit housing. However, SFH could also plausibly increase indoor smoking. Policy approaches adopted by individual properties or housing authorities—for example, property-wide bans vs. allowing designated smoking areas—could be driving this potential unintended consequence.