SMOKING IN THE HOME - CHANGING ATTITUDES AND CURRENT PRACTICES

Objectives. Trends in attitudes and current practices concerning smoki ng in the home were examined. Methods. Data from population-based surv eys of adults in Ontario, Canada, were analyzed. Results. Between 1992 and 1996, the percentage of respondents who agreed that parents spend ing time at home with small children should not smoke increased from 5 1% to 70%. In 1996, 34% of the homes surveyed were smoke-free. Smoke-f ree homes were associated with nonsmoking respondents and with the pre sence of children and no daily smokers in the home. Only 20% of homes with children and any daily smokers were smoke-free. Conclusions. Effo rts are needed to assist parents in reducing children's exposure to en vironmental tobacco smoke in the home.