• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Objectives: Thirdhand smoke (THS) refers to residual tobacco smoke pollutants that remain after cigarette smoking. The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of the belief among adults in Korea that THS is harmful to children. Methods: A population-based sample of 3,000 adults (${\geq}19$ years) among a web-based panel in Korea was obtained in November 2016. The respondents filled out questionnaires, including THS beliefs, smoking status, presence of voluntary smoke-free rules at home, and support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations at home. THS beliefs were assessed with a statement that staying in a room today where people smoked yesterday can harm the health of children. Results: Overall, 92.2 % of adults believed that THS exposure could harm the health of children. Respondents who were nonsmokers, believed that SHS exposure were associated with pneumonia of children, lived in home with complete smoke-free rule at home, and supported the implementation of smoke-free regulation at home were more likely to believe that THS could harm for health of children. Conclusions: The majority of Korean adults believed that THS exposure could harm the health of children. Predictors identified in the study can be useful to address the risk of THS beliefs and promote implementation of tobacco control policies.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.130-142
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• 2017

Objectives: Although the Korean government is able to implement smoke-free regulations for shared areas in multi-unit housing (MUH), such regulations are limited for private homes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes and near the outsides of building among residents in MUH. Methods: A population-based sample of 2,600 residents among a web-based panel in Seoul was included. The residents completed questionnaires including smoking status, voluntary smoke-free home rules, and support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes and near the outsides of building. The presence of a voluntary smoke-free home rule was determined when residents declared that no one smoked inside their homes. Results: Among the 2,600 MUH residents, prevalence of support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes was higher (83.2%) than for near the outsides of buildings (75.1%). Support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes was higher when residents were non-smokers, had voluntary smoke-free home rules, lived with children, lived with more residents, lived in owned homes, lived in apartments, and lived in homes with more frequent secondhand smoke (SHS) incursion. Support for the implementation of smoke-free regulations near the outsides of buildings was higher when residents were women, non-smokers, more educated, had a voluntary smoke-free home rule, lived with children, lived in homes with more frequent SHS incursion, and lived in a commercial area. Conclusions: The majority was supportive of the implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes. Predictors identified in the study can be useful for promoting implementation of smoke-free regulations for homes in MUH.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.78-86
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• 2021

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to investigate the installation rates and status of indoor smoking rooms in public facilities and to determine the level of compliance level with smoke-free policies in accordance with the National Health Promotion Act. Methods: A visiting survey was conducted on 1,206 public facilities in the Seoul Metropolitan Area and the Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province area. Researchers selected public facilities such as bars, coffee houses, and internet cafes using convenient sampling. They visited without prior notice, checked the existence of indoor smoking rooms, and recorded their status. Results: Internet cafes (110/116) had the highest installation rate of indoor smoking rooms, followed by bowling clubs (17/19) and billiard rooms (87/100). Depending on the type of business, 50-88% of smoking rooms were not completely enclosed. Coin karaoke rooms showed the least inadequacy in this regard. In addition, out of 512 smoking rooms, in 33% (n = 169) smoking indoors was observed in non-smoking areas. Only 9% of public facilities were in full compliance with the indoor smoke-free regulation. Conclusions: It was found that most of the public facilities with indoor smoking rooms did not comply with the smoke-free policy, and smoking was still observed inside some facilities. Therefore, there is a need for a policy that prohibits indoor smoking rooms completely.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2015

Objectives: The Korean government implemented a smoke-free regulation for pubs with a net indoor area of ${\geq}100m^2$ on January 1, 2014. The purpose of this study was to determine the indoor levels of concentrations of particulate matter smaller than $2.5{\mu}m$ ($PM_{2.5}$) in implemented and non-implemented pubs in Seoul and Changwon. Methods: $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in fifty-two $100-150m^2$ (implemented) and fifty-seven < $100m^2$ (non-implemented) pubs were measured. A real-time aerosol monitor was used to measure $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations. Field technicians recorded characteristics of the pubs including net indoor area, indoor volume and presence of smoking rooms and counted the number of burning cigarettes, patrons and vents. Results: Differences between indoor and outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in $100-150m^2$ and < $100m^2$ pubs were not significantly different in each city. Smoking was observed in 33% of $100-150m^2$ pubs and 51% of < $100m^2$ pubs. Average differences between indoor and outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in the $100-150m^2$ and < $100m^2$ pubs were $79.2{\mu}g/m^3$ and $155.6{\mu}g/m^3$, respectively. When smokers were not observed, differences between indoor and outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations ware $12.4{\mu}g/m^3$ in $100-150m^2$ pubs and $24.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in < $100m^2$ pubs. Conclusion: Although the regulation was implemented only in ${\geq}100m^2$ pubs, a higher difference between indoor and outdoor $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations was observed in implemented and non-implemented pubs with smokers. Strict implementation of the regulation in all pubs is needed for better indoor air quality.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.317-338
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• 2011

The World Health Organization (WHO) tries to accomplish the goal of 'smoke free society', and developed countries regard the nicotine as an addictive drug. In order to better protect human health, all parties are required to adopt and implement effective legislative, executive, administrative or other measures for tobacco control in accordance with Article 4 the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). In order to achieve the objective of the FCTC and its protocols and to implement its provisions, Korea need to take an attention on the U.S. Family Smoking Prevention And Tobacco Control Act of 2009 and Final Rule. It is need to integrate and centralize of tobacco safety administration and smoking prevention for the national health promotion.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.215-220
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• 2013

Purpose: Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor in periodontal diseases. The pathogenesis of periodontal diseases may be affected by alterations of the inflammatory response by smoke. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous, colorless, highly reactive, short-lived free radical with a pivotal role in the regulation of various physiological and pathological mechanisms in the body. It is important in host defense and homeostasis, on the one hand, whereas, on the other hand, it modulates the inflammatory response in periodontitis, leading to harmful effects. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of NO in both the serum and saliva of smokers and nonsmokers having chronic periodontitis and to compare them with periodontally healthy controls. Methods: Sixty subjects participated in the study and were divided into three groups: group I, healthy nonsmoking subjects; group II, nonsmoking patients with chronic periodontitis; group III, smoking patients with chronic periodontitis. Each group consisted of twenty subjects. The biochemical estimation of NO in the collected serum and in the saliva was performed using the Griess colorimetric reaction. Results: The results showed that the mean value of the salivary and serum NO was greater in group II than in group I, and also greater in group III than in group II. Conclusions: NO appears to play an important and rather complex role in the immuno-inflammatory process and in the remodeling and maintenance of osseous structures. It is therefore logical that modulation of this mediator has potential for the treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions including periodontal disease.