Who is exposed to passive smoking in Switzerland?

• In 2010, a total of 10% of 14 to 65-year-olds were involuntarily exposed to passive smoke for at least seven hours per week. This affected 7% of non-smokers.
• The highest levels of exposure are in bars and nightclubs, and with friends, acquaintances and relatives at home.
• 74% of visitors to restaurants, cafés and bars feel bothered by tobacco smoke - 43% strongly or quite strongly. Possible reasons as to why exposure has been reported, in spite of the Federal Law on Protection from Passive Smoking, include exceptions to or a failure to comply with the smoking ban, and the relocation of smoking to outdoor areas of restaurants, cafés and bars, some of which may be the respondents' local establishments.
• 79% of 14 to 65-year-olds agree with a general smoking ban in restaurants, cafés and bars.
• Teenagers and young adults are exposed to tobacco smoke much more than older people. 20% of 14 to 19-year-olds and 29% of 20 to 24-year-olds inhale passive smoke for at least 7 hours a week.
• In 2010, 28% of employed people were exposed to tobacco smoke from other people at the workplace (including during breaks).
• In 2010, 7% worked in establishments where smoking was allowed in general or with only minor restrictions such as a no smoking area. 8% of workers said that there were no smoking restrictions in their workplace. This group also included self-employed people and those working from home or in single-person-businesses, for whom legislation regarding protection from passive smoking does not apply.
• The vast majority of the population in Switzerland between 14 and 65 years old is aware of the dangers of passive smoking.

Radtke, T., Keller, R., Krebs, H. & Hornung, R. (2011). Passivrauchen in der Schweizer Bevölkerung 2010. Tabakmonitoring - Schweizerische Umfrage zum Tabakkonsum. Zürich: Psychologisches Institut der Universität Zürich, Sozial- und Gesundheitspsychologie www.tabakmonitoring.ch.

Status November 2011