Course database

OLUNTARY HOUSEHOLD BANS ON TOBACCO AND NICOTINE USE

english

Brys Zoltán

Mental Health Sciences Division

Dr. Bódizs Róbert

SE Városmajori Szív- és Érgyógyászati Klinika, CVC Tanterem

2026-11-24 10:00:00

Sociological and mental health approaches to resources for individuals and communities

Dr. Dr. Pethesné Dávid Beáta

. Dr. Albert Fruzsina, Dr. Pénzes Melinda

Dr. Sean Semple

Dr. Vajer Péter

Dr. Bódizs Róbert

Dr. Barta Csaba

Dr. Király Orsolya

A major share of second-hand smoke and aerosol exposure occurs in private homes. Because smoking and aerosol-generating tobacco and nicotine product use within private households currently fall outside the enforceable scope of tobacco control legislation in Hungary, reductions in indoor exposure depend mainly on voluntary household rules. Evidence on the prevalence, distribution, and couple-level patterns of voluntary in-home bans in Hungary has been limited. This dissertation examines voluntary in-home smoking bans and bans on the use of electronic devices for tobacco or nicotine aerosol delivery (EDTNAD) in Hungary across four dimensions: prevalence and temporal trends, social and ethnic stratification, intra-household configuration, and recalled decision-making patterns. Analyses draw on four cross-sectional surveys conducted between 2009 and 2025. For analyses of intra-household patterns, the unit of analysis was the cohabiting couple. The prevalence of complete in-home smoking bans increased from 61.7% in 2009 to 75.6% in 2022. However, complete EDTNAD use bans were less prevalent than smoking bans: approximately 12% of individuals living in smoke-free homes reported that EDTNAD use was permitted indoors. Consequently, the increase in comprehensive clean air rules between 2009 and 2022 was not statistically significant. In 2022, approximately 25% of minors lived in households permitting smoking. Roma households had significantly lower prevalence of complete smoking bans than non-Roma households, even after adjustment, for household smoking composition and socioeconomic factors. In couple-level analyses, the female partner's educational advantage was associated with smoking ban adoption. Shared financial decision-making was also associated with both smoking and EDTNAD use ban adoption. Among households without a complete smoking ban, 53.3% reported that a ban had previously been proposed but not adopted. Voluntary in-home smoking bans in Hungary have increased but remain incomplete and socially stratified. Reducing secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure in private homes requires surveillance, interventions and consideration of legal approaches. Public health efforts should address both indoor smoking and EDTNAD use, with particular attention to socially disadvantaged populations, including the Roma population. Household interventions should also take into account the decision-making processes and intra-household gendered power dynamics.