Vital Signs: Disparities in Nonsmokers’ Exposure to Secondhand Smoke—United States, 1999–2012

February 3, 2015 / Vol. 64 / Early Release

MMWR Highlights

Declines in prevalence of SHS exposure among nonsmokers, 1999–2012

• The prevalence among nonsmokers aged >3 years declined from 52.5% during 1999–2000 to 25.3% during 2011–2012.
• By age group, declines in SHS exposure were the greatest among adults aged >20 years, (55.6% change), and lowest among children aged 3–11 years (37.4% change).
• By race/ethnicity, declines in SHS exposure were lowest among non-Hispanic blacks (36.6%) compared with Mexican-Americans (46.0%) and non-Hispanic whites (56.2%).
• Among those living below the poverty level, SHS exposure declined from 71.6% during 1999–2000 to 43.2% during 2011–2012.
• Among those who live in rented housing, SHS exposure declined from 68.1% during 1999–2000 to 26.8% during 2011–2012.

Prevalence of SHS exposure among nonsmokers, 2011–2012

• Prevalence of SHS exposure among nonsmokers was higher among children aged 3–11 years (40.6%) and adolescents aged 12–19 years (33.8%) than among adults aged ≥20 years (21.3%).
• Prevalence of SHS exposure among non-Hispanic black children was 68.9%.
• Prevalence of SHS exposure among non-smokers who lived below the poverty level was 43.2%.
• Prevalence of SHS exposure among non-smokers who lived in rented housing was 36.8%.