Understand the cardiorespiratory health impact of secondhand smoke in Singapore

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a longstanding public health threat. In 2019, global estimated deaths from household air pollution accounted for 2.3 million out of 6.7 million total air pollution deaths. SHS contains the same carcinogens as mainstream smoke and induce the same genotoxic and epigenetic effects on the human body. Reduced lung function was found to be associated with both short and long term SHS exposure which were risk factors for subsequent respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis.

Over the years, there has been rising complaints from neighbours about SHS in multi-unit housing (MUH), which is the most common type of residential dwelling in Singapore. This exacerbates the already serious issue of SHS in Singapore.

Titled “Cardiorespiratory Health Impact of Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Residents’ Knowledge, Attitude and Belief on Smoke-free Policy in Multiunit Housing in Singapore”, this pilot study aims to understand the cardiorespiratory health impact of SHS exposure in MUH in Singapore. This study will be the foundational work to push for a smoke-free policy in MUH in Singapore, especially in housing estates with vulnerable members of the population such as the elderly. 

In the long run, it is envisioned that the proposed work will be a stepping stone to reduce overall smoking prevalence and SHS exposure in Singapore.