Exposure to second-hand smoke down in India, but remains major concern: Survey

NEW DELHI: Exposure to second-hand smoke remains a major concern in India even though there has been a reduction in such exposure at home and public places since 2009-10,  as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2 (GATS 2), released here by the Health Ministry.

However, exposure to second-hand smoke at healthcare facilities has increased in this period.

The survey showed that little more than one-third (35 per cent) of the non-smokers were exposed to second hand smoke (SHS) at home in India. In urban areas 25 per cent of non-smokers and in rural areas 40.4 per cent of non-smokers were exposed to SHS at home, respectively.

Among all adults, 5.3 per cent were exposed to second hand smoke in Government buildings, 3.6 per cent at private work places, 5.6 per cent in healthcare facilities, 7.4 per cent in restaurants, 13.3 per cent in public transport, 2.1 per cent in bar/night club and 2.2 per cent in cinema halls.

In all 25.7 per cent of adults were exposed to second hand smoke in any of these seven public places.

Nationally, 37.7 per cent pregnant women were exposed to SHS at home during the one month preceding the survey while 21.0 per cent pregnant women were exposed to SHS at their workplace and 25.9 per cent were exposed to SHS at any of the seven in public places.

“The proportion of households in which smoking is allowed has decreased significantly from 60.4 per cent in GATS 1 (2009-10) to 48.8 per cent in GATS 2 (2016-17). The proportion of non-smokers exposed to SHS at home has decreased significantly from 48 per cent in GATS 1 to 35 per cent in GATS 2,” the report stated. (AGENCIES)

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