Exposure to second-hand smoke at home, 2011
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'Passive smoking,' or exposure to second-hand smoke, has negative respiratory health effects. Two of the most common associated diseases are lung cancer in adults and asthma among children.
The proportion of non-smokers aged 12 and older who were regularly exposed to second-hand smoke at home has declined since 2003, reaching 5.5% in 2011. This rate is unchanged from 2010.
More men than women were exposed to second-hand smoke at home (Chart 1).
In 2011, 12.6% of young Canadians aged 12 to 19 were exposed to second-hand smoke at home — falling from 23.4% in 2003 (Chart 1). This age group is the most likely to be exposed to second hand smoke at home. Of the 1.27 million non-smoking Canadians aged 12+ who were regularly exposed to second-hand smoke at home, the 12-19 year-old age group made up 29.4%.
Chart 1
Percentage of non-smokers regularly exposed to second-hand smoke at home, by sex and selected age group, household population aged 12 or older, Canada, 2003 to 2011
Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
In 2011, exposure to second-hand smoke at home was highest among those aged 12 to 19. Men aged 20 to 34 were significantly more likely than women to be exposed to second-hand smoke at home; however, there was no significant difference between the sexes in other age groups (Chart 2).
Chart 2
Percentage of non-smokers regularly exposed to second-hand smoke at home, by age group and sex, household population aged 12 or older, Canada, 2011
Note:
E Use with caution (coefficient of variation 16.6% to 33.3%).
Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2011.
Only Ontario (4.8%), Manitoba (4.2%) and British Columbia (2.4%), posted rates of exposure to second-hand smoke at home below the national average. Prince Edward Island (9.0%) and Quebec (8.6%) were above the national average.
References
Shields, Margot. 2007. "Smoking—prevalence, bans and exposure to second-hand smoke." Health Reports, vol.18, no. 3: 67–85. /pub/82-003-x/2006007/article/smoking-fumer/10198-eng.pdf (accessed June 3, 2010)
Pérez, Claudio E. 2004. "Second-hand smoke exposure—who's at risk." Health Reports, vol. 16, no.1, 9–17. /studies-etudes/82-003/archive/2004/7037-eng.pdf (accessed June 3, 2010)
Data
Additional data from the Canadian Community Health Survey are available from CANSIM table 105–0501.
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