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This study assessed knowledge regarding the harm of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and barriers to reducing ETS from the point-of-view of urban parents of asthmatic children. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 mothers of children with asthma. All parents had good knowledge regarding the harmful effects of ETS. While all children of smoking parents were exposed to ETS, parents described using various strategies to keep ETS away from children. Many parents experienced significant stress in their lives and used smoking to relieve their stress. Barriers to a smoke-free home included stress, addiction, and the use of ineffective strategies to reduce ETS exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between current pet ownership, passive smoking, and allergic diseases among the Japanese children. From 1995 to 2001, we distributed the Japanese edition of the questionnaire of the American Thoracic Society and the Division of Lung Diseases (ATS-DLD) to survey allergic diseases among 35,552 6-yr-old children at primary school in the city of Himeji, Japan. We analyzed the data by multiple logistic regression and calculated adjusted odds ratios for environmental factors, including passive smoking and pet (dog and/or cat) ownership. There were no significant relationships between the prevalence of asthma and current pet ownership and passive smoking. However, current cat ownership was related to a significantly lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.93], allergic rhinitis (aOR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.57–0.89) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (aOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44–0.75). Strikingly, passive smoking was also related to a significantly lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77–0.89) and Japanese cedar pollinosis (aOR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74–0.88). Current cat ownership was associated with a lower prevalence of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and Japanese cedar pollinosis. In addition, passive smoking was also associated with a lower prevalence of allergic rhinitis and Japanese cedar pollinosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on passive smoking and asthma exacerbation. Argument that inhaling cigarette smoke, either actively as a cigarette smoker or passively through exposure to exhaled and sidestream smoke from other smokers, is bad for health; Observation that passive smoke exposure exacerbates symptoms in people with asthma.