Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in people over 15 years old, Bandar Abbas, Iran

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is a threat for health worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in people over 15 years old in Bandar Abbas, Iran. In this cross-sectional study a total of 387 subjects were selected by cluster sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and questions related to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. Data were analyzed by SPSS Software. 44.4% of subjects were male and 55.6% female. The results showed that 98.4% and 93.5% of subjects had been exposed to cigarette and hookah smoke, respectively. 12.7% and 14.7% of subjects revealed to be always and often exposed to cigarette smoke, respectively and just 1.6% did not expose to cigarette smoke. 52.2% of subjects exposed to cigarette smoke at public transportations and 31.3% at home. 93.4% of subjects exposed on hookah smoke at home. There was no significant difference between males and females regarding environmental tobacco smoke exposure. The majority of the subjects were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Preventive efforts and educational programs are necessary to inform people regarding the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke.