Implementation of smoke-free legislation in Malaysia: Are adolescents protected from respiratory health effects?

Citation

Zulkifli A, Abidin NZ, Abidin EZ, Hashim Z, Rahman AA, Rasdi I, Ismail SNS & Semple S (2014) Implementation of smoke-free legislation in Malaysia: Are adolescents protected from respiratory health effects?. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 15 (12), pp. 4815-4821. https://doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2014.15.12.4815

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to examine the relationship between respiratory health of Malaysian adolescents with secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and smoke-free legislation (SFL) implementation.  Materials and Methods: A total of 898 students from 21 schools across comprehensive- and partial-SFL states were recruited. SHS exposures and respiratory symptoms were assessed via questionnaire. Prenatal and postnatal SHS exposure information was obtained from parental-completed questionnaire.  Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was: 11.9% ever wheeze, 5.6% current wheeze, 22.3% exercise-induced wheeze, 12.4% nocturnal cough, and 13.1% self-reported asthma. SHS exposure was most frequently reported in restaurants. Hierarchical logistic regression indicates living in a comprehensive-SFL state was not associated with a lower risk of reporting asthma symptoms. SHS exposure in public transport was linked to increased risk for wheeze (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 16.6; 95%confidence interval (CI), 2.69-101.7) and current wheezing (AOR 24.6; 95%CI, 3.53-171.8).  Conclusions: Adolescents continue to be exposed to SHS in a range of public venues in both comprehensive- and partial-SFL states. Respiratory symptoms are common among those reporting SHS exposure on public transportation. Non-compliance with SFL appears to be frequent in many venues across Malaysia and enforcement should be given priority in order to reduce exposure.

Keywords
Environmental tobacco smoke; wheezing; youth; smoke restriction; smoking ban; Malaysia;

Journal
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: Volume 15, Issue 12

• Zulkifli et al.pdf