A National Survey on the prevalence of Cigarette Smoking in Pediatric Respiratory Care Departments and Its Effect on Smoking Cessation Efforts

BACKGROUND: The effects of second-hand smoke on children is a major health concern. A number of studies have shown impaired lung function and higher rates of respiratory tract illnesses in children exposed to passive cigarette smoke. Pediatric respiratory care practitioners (RCPS) are often the first professionals to evaluate and treat these patients. It is not clear how many pediatric RCPs are smokers or how their approach to patients and family members who smoke is influenced by their smoking status. METHODS: We surveyed 59 respiratory care department managers of children's hospitals and other pediatric facilities. RESULTS: The response rate was 56%. The mean number of RCPs/department was 49. On average, the departments reported that 10% of RCPs were smokers. Seventy percent of departments do not routinely ask patients and their family members about smoking habits, 67% of RCPs do not routinely counsel parents about the negative consequences of second-hand cigarette smoke, and 94% do not have written information for patients and families about passive cigarette-smoke exposure. Only 6 (18%) reported the availability of a cigarette smoking-cessation program. In departments where ≥ 20% of the staff smoke (n = 3), no routine effort to educate parents by RCPS was reported. In departments reporting < 20% smokers (n = 30), 13 report routine efforts to educate parents about the health effects of passive smoke exposure. CONCLUSION: We conclude that RCPs need to become more active in their efforts to improve patients’ health by offering information and/or programs to promote smoking cessation and by becoming nonsmoking role models.