Abstract

TOLOSANA, María et al. Prevalence of smoking among drivers of private vehicles. Gac Sanit [online]. 2013, vol.27, n.1, pp.58-60. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2012.06.012.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of smoking among drivers of private vehicles in the city of Lleida (Spain). Methods: A random sample of 1600 cars passing through six intersections regulated by traffic lights were selected. The variables were age, sex, smoking driver, adult passengers, intersection (urban/interurban), day (working day/weekend), hour (morning/evening) and simultaneous smokers. We calculated the prevalence of smoking drivers and the corresponding odds ratios (ORs), adjusted for the potential confounding variables, as well as their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: The prevalence was 6.0% (95% CI: 4.9-7.3) and was higher in men (6.4%), in the group aged 41 to 60 years (6.9%), and in unaccompanied drivers (6.5%). The probability of the driver smoking increased if there was a smoking passenger (aOR=10.8; 95% CI: 3.6-32.5). The frequency of smoking drivers was higher on working days (aOR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.0-2.8) and in the morning (aOR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.0-2.4). Conclusions: The prevalence of smoking drivers can be considered dangerously high. We recommend avoiding smoking while driving.

Keywords : Drivers; Smokers; Vehicles; Second hand smokers; Prevalence study; Accidents.

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