Smoking Restrictions Among Households of Childhood and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Implications for Tobacco Control Efforts

Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of smoking restrictions among households of survivors of childhood and young adult cancer who smoke. It also examined the relationship between home smoking restrictions and motivation to quit smoking, as well as other smoking, psychosocial, and environmental factors.

Methods: Participants included 374 smokers who were childhood or young adult cancer survivors (between the ages of 18 and 55 years) recruited from five cancer centers to participate in a randomized smoking cessation trial. Survivors completed baseline measures about the smoking restrictions in their households, their smoking behavior, and related psychological and environmental factors, which are the focus of the current manuscript.

Results: Almost 54% of survivors reported that smoking was prohibited in their households. Living with a nonsmoking partner, having a strict smoking policy at work, and not being nicotine dependent all increased the likelihood of having a total home smoking ban. Participants who were older, smoked more cigarettes per day over the prior week, and received prior chemotherapy were less likely to reside in households that adopted total bans.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that socio-environmental factors and current smoking behaviors are associated with complete smoking restrictions in the homes of survivors. These factors should be considered when communicating with survivors about the importance of establishing strict smoking policies in their private residences.