+443308187254Children may be less likely to be exposed to tobacco smoke in smoke-free homes (TSE). A meta-analysis of the effects of interventions on changes in tobacco smoke pollution in the home, as measured by air nicotine and particulate matter (PM), was the goal of this study.
Methods: PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed were all searched. We included controlled trials of interventions designed to assist parents in protecting their children from exposure to tobacco smoke. Three reviewers’ extracted data and two reviewers identified relevant studies.
Results: There were seven studies found. As measured by nicotine or particulate matter, interventions reduced home air pollution caused by tobacco smoke. 6 studies, 681 participants, p = 0.02 Separate analyses of PM and air nicotine revealed some advantages (PM nicotine: N = 421 in four studies, p = 0.08; PM: N = 340 in three studies, p = 0.02) At the follow-up of all studies, tobacco smoke pollution was still present in homes.
Conclusions: Tobacco smoke pollution (measured by air nicotine or PM) in homes is reduced by interventions designed to protect children from tobacco smoke, but contamination remains. After individual level intervention, the persistence of significant levels of pollution in homes may indicate the need for additional population and regulatory measures to help reduce and eliminate childhood exposure to tobacco smoke.
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