Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Environmental smoke exposure is a poorly understood issue and might be a potential source of long-term respiratory exposure to toxic pollutants. Both secondhand and thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure are important matters of public health. We aimed to document the knowledge about smoke exposure of vulnerable groups with respiratory diseases. METHODS: A total of 911 currently smoking patients admitted to the outpatient clinics between October 2023 - October 2024 enrolled in our study. Following a medical examination and pulmonary function assessment, individuals were asked to complete the BATHS questionnaire on thirdhand smoking exposure. RESULTS: Of the 911smoker participants who comprised our sample, 322 (35.3%) had COPD, 227 (24.9%) had asthma and 570 (62.5%) experienced moderate to severe secondhand exposure. Patients with COPD had the lowest BATHS total and persistence scores (3.61±0.58 and 3.77±0.69, respectively), while asthmatics had the lowest BATHS health scores (3.41±0.46) (p<0.05). Total and subdimension scores were significantly higher among individuals aged 18-30, university graduates, employed in the workforce, and earning exceeds minimum wage (p <0.05). No gender difference was noted (p>0.05). BATHS total scores had significant negative correlation with secondhand smoke exposure and disease duration (p<0.05) whereas positively correlated with better pulmonary function values, attending a smoking cessation clinic, and living at home with children under sixteen (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study identifies the knowledge gap about the detrimental effects of smoke exposure in patients with respiratory diseases. It underscores the importance of focusing initiatives to reduce both active and passive smoking through educational programs targeting active smokers at risk of lung illnesses.