Exposure to tobacco smoke

Exposure to tobacco smoke (passive smoking) is almost as harmful for health as smoking. Nicotine is one of the most harmful parts of tobacco smoke.

Passive smoking causes about 600 000 deaths annually in the word. Elimination of exposure to tobacco smoke at work and at home decreases morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases.

Passive smoking at home

• Exposure to tobacco smoke at home was more common in Pitkäranta than in Finland.
• In Pitkäranta, women are exposed to tobacco smoke at home more often than men.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke at home has decreased only slightly in both areas in 2000’s, but the exposure in about two times more common in Pitkäranta compared to Finland.

More information about passive smoking at home in Pitkäranta, Russia and Finland can be found in series of pictures.
Passive smoking at home (PDF 345 KB).

Passive smoking at work

• Passive smoking at work has decreased markedly among men and women in Finland. This is explained by smoking restrictions based on antismoking legislation.
•  Exposure to tobacco smoke at work is much more common (about five times more common in men and ten times more common in women) in Pitkäranta compared  to Finland.
• Men are exposed to tobacco smoke at work more often than women. 

Figure 1. Exposure to tobacco smoke at work for at least one hour daily in Finland, 1983–2007 (among 15–64-year-olds)

Figure 2. Exposure to tobacco smoke at work for at least one hour daily, Pitkäranta, the Republic of Karelia, 1998–2004 (25–64-year-olds)

More information about passive smoking at work in Pitkäranta, Russia and in Finland can be found in series of pictures.
Passive smoking at work (PDF 345 KB).