• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 2010

In this study, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) was evaluated in commercial personal computer (PC) rooms with different separation types of non-smoking areas. The particulate matter less than 2.5 ${\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$) level was simultaneously measured by aerosol spectrometers in the non-smoking and smoking areas of these commercial PC rooms. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in non-smoking and smoking areas were $75\;{\mu}g/m^3$ and $136\;{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. Although the $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in non-smoking areas were significantly less than those in smoking areas (p<0.01), the levels still exceeded the US National Ambient Air Quality Standard of $35\;{\mu}g/m^3$. Average $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in non-smoking areas were not significantly different with regard to area separation type, with $73\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in the no-wall type, $83\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in the wall-type, and $39\;{\mu}g/m^3$ in the separated-floor-type areas (p>0.1). Separation of the non-smoking area thus did not eliminate SHS exposure in commercial PC rooms, regardless of the type of area separation. This study demonstrates that simple separation of non-smoking areas in commercial PC rooms does not protect users from SHS.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.293-297
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• 2009

Objectives : To evaluate the impact of the workplace smoking ban in South Korea, where the male smoking rate is high (57%), on smoking behavior and secondhand smoke exposure. Methods : A workplace smoking ban legislation implemented in April 2003 requires offices, meeting rooms, and lobbies located in larger than 3,000 square meter buildings (or 2,000 square meter multipurpose buildings) should be smoke free. A representative cross-sectional survey, the third wave (2005) of health supplements in the National Health Nutrition Survey of South Korea, was used to measure the impact of the 2003 workplace smoking ban implementation on smoking behavior. It contained 3,122 observations of adults 20 to 65 years old (excluding selfemployed and non-working populations). A multivariate statistical model was used. The self-reported workplace smoking ban policy (full workplace ban, partial workplace ban, and no workplace ban) was used as the key measure. Results : A full workplace smoking ban reduced the current smoking rate by 6.4 percentage points among all workers and also decreased the average daily consumption among smokers by 3.7 cigarettes relative to no smoking ban. Secondhand smoke showed a dramatic decrease of 86 percent (= -1.74/2.03)from the sample mean for full workplace ban. However, public anti-smoking campaign did not show any significant impact on smoking behavior. Conclusions : The full workplace ban policy is effective in South Korea. Male group showed bigger impact of smoking ban policy than female group. The public antismoking campaign did not show any effectiveness.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Purpose:The present study was to apply the Attitudes-Social influence-Efficacy (ASE) model in order to identify factors associated with the assertive behavior of non-smoking college students when they are exposed to secondhand smokes in Korea. Methods: Data were collected from non-smoking college students (N=1,656, 76.6% female) at two universities in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The main outcome measure was the assertive behavior. ASE factors such as attitudes toward being assertive, social influences, and self-efficacy as well as socio-demographic, health-related, and smoking-related factors were self-administrated. Results: The mean of the assertive behavior (range 1~5 points) was 2.23;37.6% was not at all assertive, while 4.3% was always assertive. Higher assertiveness was significantly correlated with a higher level of positive attitude, social influence and self-efficacy (p<.05 for all). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the social influence was the strongest factor associated with the assertive behavior (${\beta}=0.430$, p<.001, $R^2$=.246), followed by self-efficacy, motive to assertiveness, having any family member who had diseases, and male gender. These factors explained the assertive behavior by 39.7%. Conclusion: The ASE model may explain the assertive behavior of non-smoking college students under secondhand smoke exposure. Social influence and self-efficacy were significant factors associated with their assertive behavior.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.16-23
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• 2017

Purposes: Despite the positive health effects of both smokers and non-smokers, the non-smoking area policy is being negatively evaluated because of the vague fears of declining restaurant sales. The purpose of this study is to analyze the changes in sales of general restaurants(including liquor stores) and other restaurants that are considered to have the most applications of smoking cessation policy among the smoking facilities, and to examine the economic impact of the designation and expansion policies of non-smoking areas. Methodology: This study used the wholesale and retail trade survey data of the Korea National Statistical Office from 2011 to 2014 and analyzed 31,577 restaurants excluding missing values. For statistical analysis, t-test, ANOVA and Difference-in-differences(DID) models were used and the interaction term of area and year was entered. Findings: As the non-smoking area policy had been designated and expanded from December 2012 to December 31 2013, high restaurant sales in 2012 declined sharply in 2013. However, despite the expanding of the no-smoking area from January 1 2014 through December 31 2014, restaurant sales slightly recovered in 2014. In the case of other restaurants, there is no significant change in sales since the start of the policy in 2013. Practical Implications: The decline in restaurant sales due to the designation and expansion of non-smoking areas is temporary and can not be sustained over the long term. This result can be used to positively suggest negative perceptions of the designation and expansion policy of non-smoking areas. Also, this result can contribute to health promotion and smoking cessation policies by protecting non-smokers from the risk of secondhand smoking exposure and inducing smokers to decrease smoking rate and smoking amount.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of the smoke-free law on secondhand smoke exposure in computer game rooms by measuring concentrations of particulate matter smaller than $2.5{\mu}m$($PM_{2.5}$). Methods: Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations were measured in 56 (during the smoke-free guidance period) and 118 computer game rooms (after the law went into effect) in four cities (Seoul, Cheonan, Daegu and Kunsan) in Korea. The number of smokers in the computer game rooms was also counted every five minutes. Results: Although a smoking ban had been implemented nationally, smoking was observed in 47% of the computer game rooms. Smoking density decreased from 1.62 persons per $100m^3$ during the guidance period to 0.32 persons per $100m^3$ after the smoke-free law. There is no statistically significant difference of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations before and after the smoking ban. The $PM_{2.5}$ concentration was two times higher than the US NAAQS of $35{\mu}g/m^3$. The $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in computer game rooms without smokers was two times higher than the outdoor concentration. Conclusion: The smoke-free law in computer game rooms was complied with, even after the guidance period, in Korea. Indoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentration after smoke-free law implementation was high due to this non-compliance. High $PM_{2.5}$ concentration in computer game rooms without smokers might be due to smoking booths. The complete prohibition of smoking in computer game rooms should be implemented to protect patrons from secondhand smoke exposure.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.377-384
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to investigate factors affecting preparation stage to quit smoking in men. Methods: Based on data from the Community Health Survey conducted in Chungbuk Province in 2008, we estimated rates and odds ratio (OR) of smoking cessation intention for 2,639 men who were current smokers. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors affecting preparation stage to quit smoking. Results: Among current male smokers, the rate of smoking cessation intention was 17.1%. The OR of factors affecting smoking cessation was as follows: Compared to men with middle school education, the OR for rate of smoking cessation intention in men with high school education was 1.47 (p=.018), and for college or higher, 1.55 (p=.017). Compared to being single, the OR for cohabitation after marriage was 1.61 (p=.011) and living alone after marriage, 2.23 (p=.005). The OR for attempt to quit smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke and participation in smoking education were 6.80 (p<.001), 1.32 (p=.020) and 1.69 (p=.005), respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study show that it is necessary to decrease exposure to secondhand smoke and to increase participation in smoking cessation education targeting current smokers to move them from precontemplation or contemplation stage to preparation stage.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.85-106
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• 2023

Background: The Korean government has established Health Plan and reinforced tobacco control policies step by step according to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This study aims to investigate yearly smoking and secondhand smoking (SHS) exposure rates adjusted by demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted about the smoking experience, current smoking, and exposure to SHS at home, at work, and in public places using data from the 6th to 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015-2020). Results: Comparing 2015 with other years, smoking experience rates significantly decreased from 2015 to 2018 in men and significantly increased from 2018 to 2020 in women. Compared to 2015, current smoking rates significantly decreased only in 2020 for men and significantly increased in 2018 and 2019 for women. The rate of exposure to SHS at home significantly decreased until 2018. Rates of exposure to SHS in the workplace and public places were significant all year. Conclusion: There were a slowly decreasing trend in men and an increasing trend in women at current smoking rates. It was found that there were significant decreasing trends at exposure to SHS. There is a need to set policies that reduce current smoking rates and especially to set a customized program to lower women's smoking rates.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5187-5195
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the factors related to assertive behavior among non-smoking college students under secondhand smoke exposure. Data were collected from 246 non-smoking college students at one university in B city from October to November, 2011 and analyzed by multiple logistic regression. The factors related to assertive behavior were men(OR 3.173, 95% CI 1.676-6.005), with another smoker in household(OR 1.679, 95% CI 1.056-2.983), high level of perceived benefit(OR 2.821, 95% CI 1.044-7.623), high level of social influence(OR 3.753, 95% CI 1.845-7.634), high level of self efficacy(OR 4.140, 95% CI 2.159-7.941). It is necessary to develop and evaluate the health promotion program for enhancing of assertive behavior of non-smoking college students regarding of perceived benefit, social influence and self efficacy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2011

Background: Increasing numbers of young people go to clubs. In Korea, however, no studies have been conducted regarding the exposure of club patrons to secondhand smoke. The present study was conducted to evaluate the degree of club customers' exposure to secondhand smoke. Methods: The study subjects included 10 male and 12 female non-smokers. The investigational site was a club located in Daegu. Urine samples were collected before exposure to secondhand smoke in the club and 6 hours after a 3-hour exposure. The urine cotinine levels were measured via the LC -MS/MS method. A survey was conducted to collect data regarding the subjects' smoking experiences and the degree of exposure to secondhand smoke in their daily lives. Results: The average urine cotinine level increased from 1.09 ${\mu}g/L$ to 5.55 ${\mu}g/L$ ($p$<0.05). No significant difference existed in the change in urine cotinine level between the male and female subjects. In addition, there was no significant difference in the change in urine cotinine level by the degree of exposure to secondhand smoke in daily life. Conclusions: The average urine cotinine level in all the subjects significantly increased after exposure to secondhand smoke. This is the first study on exposure to secondhand smoke in clubs; these results can be used to craft measures that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in public places, such as clubs.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.91-101
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• 2012

Objectives: This study examined the extent to which attitudes about smoke-free air policies (SFAPs) in bars/restaurants, workplaces, all public places, and motor vehicles when minors are present can be explained by individuals' sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, and beliefs about the health of others. Methods: Data were gathered from 359 individuals age 18 or older who attended the Lawrence County Fair in Indiana, United States, in July, 2009, an area where there were no SFAPs in place at the time of survey administration. Results: Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that perceived severity of secondhand smoke (SHS) on others, perceived responsibility of smokers for the harm their SHS causes to others, and perceived susceptibility of others to SHS exposure, along with education level and smoking status, significantly predict opposition to SFAPs in this population. Conclusions: The results of this exploratory study suggest the need for additional research related to attitudes about health policies as well as to the practical applications of these findings for smoke-free air advocacy.