Atkinson, O., Coleman, T., McNeill, A., et al. – 2013
Report of a study on the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to reduce children’s exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the home. Notes that parental smoking in the home is the main cause of children’s exposure to tobacco smoke. Discusses the use of NRT to aid in temporary abstinence while in the home. The study focused on disadvantaged families with children under 5, because exposure to smoking is highest among disadvantaged children and younger children are more affected by ETS. Authors interviewed current smokers with children in the home. Parents had generally negative attitudes about temporary abstinence in the home and the use of nicotine patches or gum to avoid smoking near their children. Many said that they would use NRT to try to quit completely, rather than for temporary abstinence alone. Authors report that while most parents are aware of the harm of ETS on children, many underestimate the severity of the problem. Authors also note that parents who spend most of their time at home are reluctant to change their smoking routines and behaviors.
