Third-Hand Smoke Awareness in Indoor Air Pollution: From Active Smoking to Passive Exposure

Purpose: In the present study, the purpose was to determine the level of awareness of third-hand smoke exposure of adults who are active smokers and passively exposed to cigarette smoke in indoor settings. Metarials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted online with 367 adults aged 18 years and over living in Turkey. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form that was prepared by the researchers and the Awareness of Third-Hand Smoke (ATHS) Scale. Results: A total of 62.7% of the study group, whose mean age was 35.74±12.48 years, were women, 34.6% were still smoking, 13.6% had quit, and 51.8% had never smoked. A total of 41.7% of the participants who were living together in the same house were still smoking, 8.4% had quit smoking, and 49.9% had never smoked. A negative and statistically significant association was detected between the total scores of the ATHS Scale and current smokers (p=0.002). A negative and statistically significant association was also detected between the health effects sub-dimension scores of the ATHS Scale and current smokers (p=0.002). Conclusion: Current smokers had lower awareness of third-hand smoke and its health effects when compared to non-smokers or former smokers.