An investigation of housing quality with respect to health: risks connected with passive smoking.

In view of the important role played by passive smoking today, the authors consider it with reference to confined spaces, and in particular to the home where the elderly and children spend long periods of the time. A total of 1833 subjects were interviewed by means of a questionnaire distributed in schools in the Marches region. It emerged that a relatively high percentage (61%) smoked in the home, and that of these 40% were women. Moreover, a noteworthy percentage of women (21.8%) smoked during pregnancy, despite knowing of the risks involved for the child they bore. Finally the authors emphasize the need for specific laws and for adequate sensitization of the population.