Secondhand exposure to cigarettes smoke and e-cigarettes aerosols on sidewalks: pattern, public attitudes, and support for tobacco bans

Objectives

This study investigates exposure patterns, public attitudes towards sidewalk exposure to secondhand cigarettes smoke (SHS) and secondhand e-cigarette aerosols (SHA), and support for a sidewalk cigarette and e-cigarette smoking ban in Shenzhen, China.

Study design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

A total of 5003 Shenzhen pedestrians participated in the survey in 2023 using convenience sampling. Participants reported their exposure to SHS and SHA on sidewalks over the past week. Descriptive analyses examined exposure patterns, public attitudes, and support for public bans. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of SHS/SHA exposure and public attitudes toward sidewalk tobacco regulations.

Results

Overall, 68.5 % of participants were exposed to SHS, 38.6 % to SHA, 36.6 % to both, and 70.5 % to SHS or SHA on sidewalks. Men, elders, those with higher education, households with children under 14, and current cigarette and e-cigarette dual users were more exposed to SHS and SHA, and young adults to SHA. A substantial 91.2 % disapproved of cigarette and e-cigarette use on sidewalks, with negative attitudes more common among females, those discomforted by SHS or SHA, and those knowledgeable about tobacco control regulations and tobacco harm, while tobacco users showed less disapproval. There was robust support (81.2 %) for banning cigarette and e-cigarette on sidewalks, especially among those generally opposed to cigarette and e-cigarette use on sidewalks.

Conclusions

The results suggest that urgent regulatory and legislative action is required to protect individuals from SHS and SHA exposure on sidewalks.