Ayo-Yusuf, O.A., Olufajo, O. and Agaku, I.T., 2014.
This study assessed exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) from several sources among non-smoking adults to determine the effectiveness of existing smoke-free policies and adoption of smoke-free rules in South Africa. The analysis evaluated the presence of smoke-free rules in South Africa, the prevalence and correlates of second hand smoke in public spaces amongst non-smokers in an adult population older than 16 who took part in the 2010 South African Social Attitudes Survey. The study shows that overall, 55.9% of all non-smokers reported exposure to SHS from at least one source (i.e., in the home, workplace or at a hospitality venue). The majority of non-smoking South African adults knew about the harmfulness of SHS exposure, with over two-thirds having implemented smoke-free rules in their cars and homes, over half still reported SHS exposure from several sources, particularly from public areas. This emphasises the need for comprehensive smoke-free laws that prohibit smoking in all indoor areas without exemptions. In addition, strong enforcement of such laws may help increase compliance and denormalize smoking.
