Impact of sleep health on self-perceived health status.

Although sleep habits have long been recognized as a promoter of health, the World Health Organization 2014 report on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) only listed smoking, alcohol intake, diet and physical activity (PA) as key modifiable risk factors that could enhance health and prevent NCDs. Cross-sectional data on 4385 surveys from the 2015 Catalan Health Survey, representative of the 2015 non-institutionalized Catalan population over age 14, were used to assess and compare the independent associations of low PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ): low activity); poor diet (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea questionnaire (PREDIMED): low-adherent); poor sleep health (Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency and Duration scale (SATED): <8); smoking status; and, alcohol intake (high-risk drinker based on standard drink units) with having a poor self-perceived health status. Logistic regression models adjusted by age, gender, education level and number of comorbidities showed that poor sleep health had the strongest independent association with poor self-perceived health status (OR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.37-2.12), followed by poor diet (OR = 1.37; 95%CI: 1.10-1.72) and low PA (OR = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.01-1.69). This suggests that sleep habits should be included among the important modifiable health risk factors and be considered a key component of a healthy lifestyle.

Assessing sleep health in a European population: Results of the Catalan Health Survey 2015.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the overall sleep health of the Catalan population using data from the 2015 Catalan Health Survey and to compare the performance of two sleep health indicators: sleep duration and a 5-dimension sleep scale (SATED). METHODS: Multistage probability sampling representative of the non-institutionalized population aged 15 or more years, stratified by age, gender and municipality size, was used, excluding nightshift-workers. A total of 4385 surveys were included in the analyses. Associations between sleep health and the number of reported chronic diseases were assessed using non-parametric smoothed splines. Differences in the predictive ability of age-adjusted logistic regression models of self-rated health status were assessed. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess SATED determinants. RESULTS: Overall mean (SD) sleep duration was 7.18 (1.16) hours; and SATED score 7.91 (2.17) (range 0-10), lower (worse) scores were associated with increasing age and female sex. Alertness and efficiency were the most frequently impaired dimensions across age groups. SATED performed better than sleep duration when assessing self-rated health status (area under the curve = 0.856 vs. 0.798; p-value <0.001), and had a linear relationship with the number of reported chronic diseases, while the sleep duration relationship was u-shaped. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep health in Catalonia is associated with age and gender. SATED has some advantaged compared to sleep duration assessment, as it relates linearly to health indicators, has a stronger association with self-rated health status, and provides a more comprehensive assessment of sleep health. Therefore, the inclusion of multi-dimensional sleep health assessment tools in national surveys should be considered.

Manufactured and roll-your-own cigarettes: A changing pattern of smoking in Barcelona, Spain.

AIMS: The objectives of the present study were to describe smoking prevalence and compare the smoking attributes of adult smokers according to the type of tobacco product consumed. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional surveys (2004-2005 and 2011-2012) of a representative sample of the adult (≥16 years) population in Barcelona, Spain, were used to assess self-reported tobacco consumption, smoking attributes, and salivary cotinine concentration. The survey conducted in 2004-2005 included information on 1245 subjects and the survey in 2011-2012 on 1307 individuals. RESULTS: Smoking prevalence decreased over the study period (from 26.6% to 24.1% in self-reported daily smokers). The prevalence of daily smokers who reported the use of manufactured cigarettes declined from 23.7% in 2004-2005 to 17.3% in 2011-2012. The prevalence of roll-your-own cigarette users increased from 0.4% to 3.7%. According to data obtained in 2011-2012, the proportion of self-reported roll-your-own cigarette users was higher among men (19.8% vs. 9.5% of women), participants aged 16-44 years (22.9% vs. 5.8% of participants aged 45-65 years and 4.0% of participants aged ≥65 years), and participants with secondary and university education (17.7% and 18.5% vs. 7.9% of participants with less than primary and primary education). We did not observe differences in cotinine concentrations according to the type of tobacco product consumed. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic collection of data on smoking prevalence and smoker attributes from representative samples of the population is necessary for policymakers to develop efficient tobacco control interventions. Considering the increase of roll-your-own cigarette users and the unclear health consequences of their use, policymakers should aim to implement tax policies to equalize the prices of different types of tobacco products.

Deconstructing myths, building alliances: a networking model to enhance tobacco control in hospital mental health settings / Desmontando mitos, construyendo alianzas: un modelo en red para mejorar el control del tabaquismo en el ámbito de la salud mental hospitalaria

Life expectancy for people with severe mental disorders is up to 25 years less in comparison to the general population, mainly due to diseases caused or worsened by smoking. However, smoking is usually a neglected issue in mental healthcare settings. The aim of this article is to describe a strategy to improve tobacco control in the hospital mental healthcare services of Catalonia (Spain). To bridge this gap, the Catalan Network of Smoke-free Hospitals launched a nationwide bottom-up strategy in Catalonia in 2007. The strategy relied on the creation of a working group of key professionals from various hospitals —the early adopters— based on Rogers’ theory of the Diffusion of Innovations. In 2016, the working group is composed of professionals from 17 hospitals (70.8% of all hospitals in the region with mental health inpatient units). Since 2007, tobacco control has improved in different areas such as increasing mental health professionals’ awareness of smoking, training professionals on smoking cessation interventions and achieving good compliance with the national smoking ban. The working group has produced and disseminated various materials, including clinical practice and best practice guidelines, implemented smoking cessation programmes and organised seminars and training sessions on smoking cessation measures in patients with mental illnesses. The next challenge is to ensure effective follow-up for smoking cessation after discharge. While some areas of tobacco control within these services still require significant improvement, the aforementioned initiative promotes successful tobacco control in these settings (AU)

La esperanza de vida para las personas con trastornos mentales graves se reduce hasta 25 años en comparación con la población general, principalmente debido a enfermedades causadas o agravadas por el tabaco. Sin embargo, el tabaco es un tema a menudo descuidado en el ámbito de la salud mental. El objetivo de este artículo es describir una estrategia dirigida a mejorar el control del tabaco en servicios de salud mental hospitalarios de Cataluña (España). Por este motivo, la Red Catalana de Hospitales sin Humo puso en marcha en 2007 un grupo de trabajo de profesionales clave, los early adopters, según la teoría de la difusión de las innovaciones de Rogers. En la actualidad, el Grupo de Trabajo, con un enfoque de abajo arriba, está integrado por profesionales de 17 hospitales (el 70,8% de todos los hospitales de la región con unidades de hospitalización de salud mental). Desde 2007, el control del tabaco ha mejorado en diferentes áreas, tales como el aumento de la sensibilización de los profesionales, la formación de profesionales en intervención para dejar de fumar y el cumplimiento de la prohibición de fumar en las salas de ingreso. El Grupo ha elaborado y difundido materiales como guías de práctica clínica y de buenas prácticas, ha implementado programas para dejar de fumar, y ha organizado jornadas y sesiones formativas sobre intervención en tabaquismo en personas con trastornos mentales, entre otras actividades. Los siguientes pasos se centrarán en garantizar un seguimiento eficaz de la cesación tabáquica después del alta hospitalaria. Aunque aún queda mucho trabajo en algunas áreas del control del tabaquismo dentro de estos servicios, este enfoque descrito promueve con éxito mejoras en este ámbito (AU)

Impact of the Spanish smoking legislations in the adoption of smoke-free rules at home: a longitudinal study in Barcelona (Spain).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of two Spanish smoking legislations in the adoption of voluntary smoke-free-homes rules in Spain. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study, before and after the implementation of two national smoking bans (in 2005 and 2010), in a representative sample (n=1245) of non-institutionalised adults (≥16 years) from Barcelona (Spain) surveyed in 2004-2005 and followed up in 2013-2014. The final sample analysed was 736 individuals (400 women and 336 men). We defined smoking rules in the houses as complete (when smoking was not allowed in the household), partial (when smoking was allowed in some places inside the house) or absent (when smoking was allowed everywhere). We calculated relative changes in the prevalence of smoking rules in homes before and after 2 national smoking legislations by means of prevalence ratios (PRs) and their 95% CIs. RESULTS: The households with voluntary smoke-free rules (complete or partial) relatively increased 31% after Spanish smoking bans (from 55.6% to 72.6%, p<0.001). The houses with complete rules relatively increased 57% (from 23.9% to 37.6%, p<0.001) whereas the houses with partial rules increased 11% (from 31.7% to 35.0%, p=0.148). The increase of any type of rules (complete and partial) was statistically significantly independent of sex (PR between 1.29 and 1.33), age (PR between 1.24 and 1.33), educational level (PR between 1.19 and 1.47) and minimum age in house (PR between 1.12 and 1.40). However, this increase was statistically and significantly higher only among never smokers (PR=1.46) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the smoke-free regulations in public and work places in Spain was associated with an increasing of voluntary adoption of smoke-free rules in homes. According to our data, the Spanish smoking bans did not shift the tobacco consumption from public and work places to private places (homes).

Deconstructing myths, building alliances: a networking model to enhance tobacco control in hospital mental health settings.

Life expectancy for people with severe mental disorders is up to 25 years less in comparison to the general population, mainly due to diseases caused or worsened by smoking. However, smoking is usually a neglected issue in mental healthcare settings. The aim of this article is to describe a strategy to improve tobacco control in the hospital mental healthcare services of Catalonia (Spain). To bridge this gap, the Catalan Network of Smoke-free Hospitals launched a nationwide bottom-up strategy in Catalonia in 2007. The strategy relied on the creation of a working group of key professionals from various hospitals -the early adopters- based on Rogers' theory of the Diffusion of Innovations. In 2016, the working group is composed of professionals from 17 hospitals (70.8% of all hospitals in the region with mental health inpatient units). Since 2007, tobacco control has improved in different areas such as increasing mental health professionals' awareness of smoking, training professionals on smoking cessation interventions and achieving good compliance with the national smoking ban. The working group has produced and disseminated various materials, including clinical practice and best practice guidelines, implemented smoking cessation programmes and organised seminars and training sessions on smoking cessation measures in patients with mental illnesses. The next challenge is to ensure effective follow-up for smoking cessation after discharge. While some areas of tobacco control within these services still require significant improvement, the aforementioned initiative promotes successful tobacco control in these settings.

Second-hand smoke exposure in indoor and outdoor areas of cafés and restaurants: Need for extending smoking regulation outdoors?

Smoke-free legislation in indoor public places has concentrated smokers in the areas outside building entrances or other outdoor areas. This study assessed the drift of second-hand smoke between outdoor and indoor areas of cafés and restaurants in Barcelona, Spain, and characterized the exposure on outdoor terraces. Using a cross-sectional design, we monitored vapor-phase nicotine in indoor areas and outside entrances simultaneously (n=47), and on some outdoor terraces (n=51). We computed the median nicotine concentration and interquartile range (IQR) to describe the data and performed multivariate analysis to describe nicotine concentration and its determinants. The overall median nicotine concentration indoors was 0.65µg/m(3) (IQR: 0.29-1.17µg/m(3)), with significant differences based on the number of smokers at the entrance (p=0.039). At outside entrances, the overall median nicotine concentration was 0.41µg/m(3) (IQR: 0.21-1.17µg/m(3)). The nicotine concentrations indoors and at the corresponding outside entrances were not significantly different, and the multivariate analysis confirmed the relationship between these variables. On terraces, the overall median nicotine concentration was 0.54µg/m(3) (IQR: 0.25-1.14µg/m(3)), but it increased to 0.60µg/m(3) when a tobacco smell was perceived, 0.72µg/m(3) on closed terraces, 1.24µg/m(3) when there were >6 smokers, and 1.24µg/m(3) when someone smoked >20min. Multivariate analysis confirmed the outdoor terrace area, the season, the type of enclosure, and the number of smokers as the most relevant variables explaining nicotine concentration (R(2)=0.396). These findings show that second-hand smoke exposure exists in indoor areas due to smokers smoking at the outside entrances. In addition, exposure may occur on outdoor terraces when smokers are present and the terrace is enclosed to some extent. Thus, the current Spanish law does not fully protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke and supports extending regulation to some outdoor areas.

Prevalencia de consumo de tabaco en trabajadores hospitalarios: metaanálisis en 45 hospitales catalanes / Smoking prevalence in hospital workers: meta-analysis in 45 Catalan hospitals

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de consumo de tabaco en trabajadores/as de los hospitales miembros de la Red Catalana de Hospitales sin Humo según sus características sociodemográficas y tipo de hospital al que pertenecen, en el período 2009-2012. Método: Metaanálisis de encuestas de prevalencia en muestras representativas de trabajadores/as de 45 hospitales (2009-2012). La prevalencia conjunta se calculó mediante un modelo de regresión con efectos aleatorios ponderado por el tamaño muestral. Resultados: La prevalencia global de consumo de tabaco es del 28,1% (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 26,1-30,0%), con valores máximos y mínimos del 40,3% y el 19,1%. Los grupos con menor prevalencia son el colectivo médico (16,4%; IC95%: 12,9-19,9%) y el colectivo de enfermería (25,4%; IC95%: 21,6-29,2%). Conclusión La prevalencia de consumo de tabaco en trabajadores/as hospitalarios/as es menor que en la población general en edad laboral, siendo el colectivo médico el menos fumador. Es necesario implementar acciones que faciliten el abandono del tabaco en el resto de los colectivos (AU)

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of smoking in workers from hospitals within the Catalan Network for Smoke-free hospitals from 2009 to 2012 according to workers’ sociodemographic characteristics and the type of hospital. Method: A meta-analysis was performed of prevalence surveys from representative samples of workers from 45 hospitals. The combined prevalence for all hospitals was calculated using a regression model with a random effects model weighted by sample size. Results: The overall prevalence of smoking was 28.1% (95%CI: 26.1 to 30.0%) with a maximum and minimum of 40.3% and 19.1%, respectively. The health professionals with the lowest prevalence of smoking were physicians (16.4%; 95%CI: 12.9 to 19.9) and nurses (25.4%; 95%CI 21.6 to 29.2). Conclusion: The prevalence of smoking in hospital health workers was lower than in the general population of working age. Physicians were the group with the lowest smoking prevalence. Smoking cessation should be promoted among other professional groups (AU)

[Smoking prevalence in hospital workers: meta-analysis in 45 Catalan hospitals]. / Prevalencia de consumo de tabaco en trabajadores hospitalarios: metaanálisis en 45 hospitales catalanes.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of smoking in workers from hospitals within the Catalan Network for Smoke-free hospitals from 2009 to 2012 according to workers' sociodemographic characteristics and the type of hospital. METHOD: A meta-analysis was performed of prevalence surveys from representative samples of workers from 45 hospitals. The combined prevalence for all hospitals was calculated using a regression model with a random effects model weighted by sample size. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of smoking was 28.1% (95%CI: 26.1 to 30.0%) with a maximum and minimum of 40.3% and 19.1%, respectively. The health professionals with the lowest prevalence of smoking were physicians (16.4%; 95%CI: 12.9 to 19.9) and nurses (25.4%; 95%CI 21.6 to 29.2). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking in hospital health workers was lower than in the general population of working age. Physicians were the group with the lowest smoking prevalence. Smoking cessation should be promoted among other professional groups.

Evolución de la cirugía mayor ambulatoria en Cataluña, 2001-2011 / Trends in ambulatory surgical procedures in Catalonia (Spain), 2001-2011

Objetivo: Analizar la evolución de la cirugía mayor ambulatoria en los hospitales de Cataluña, en relación con la actividad del servicio de cirugía con hospitalización y la dotación estructural quirúrgica. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo con datos de la Estadística de Establecimientos Sanitarios con Régimen de Internamiento del Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Cataluña, durante el periodo 2001-2011. Se realizó para hospitales de agudos, agrupados en hospitales públicos y privados. Discusión: El porcentaje de cirugía ambulatoria aumentó un 63,2% y la actividad de cirugía con hospitalización disminuyó un 23,5% (de forma más marcada en los hospitales públicos). Esto coincide con una disminución de los recursos estructurales (camas y quirófanos) y con una mejora de los índices de actividad de cirugía con hospitalización (disminución de la estancia media y del índice de ocupación en todos los hospitales). Así mismo, se optimizaron los recursos estructurales y se mejoró la eficiencia en los servicios de cirugía hospitalaria (AU)

Objective: To analyse the trend in ambulatory surgery procedures in Catalonia (Spain) hospitals with regard to the activity in inpatient care units and structural resources in surgery. Methods: A descriptive study was performed using data from the Statistics of Health Facilities with Inpatient Care of the Health Department of the Catalan Government from 2001 to 2011. Data from acute care hospitals were analysed and were classified in public and private hospitals. Discussion: The percentage of ambulatory surgical procedures increased by 63.2% and the percentage of inpatient surgery decreased by 23.5% (this trend was more pronounced in public hospitals). This result coincided with a decrease of structural resources in surgery (beds and operating rooms) and with an improvement in inpatient surgical activity (a decrease in the mean length of stay and bed occupancy rate in all hospitals). Structural surgery resources were optimized and efficiency was improved in surgery inpatient care units (AU)

Perception of electronic cigarettes in the general population: does their usefulness outweigh their risks?

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the perceptions of the general population about the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on users and on those passively exposed to e-cigarettes and the perceptions about e-cigarette usefulness for reducing or eliminating tobacco smoking. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We analysed cross-sectional data from a longitudinal study of a representative sample of the general adult (≥16 years) population of Barcelona, Spain (336 men and 400 women). The fieldwork was conducted between May 2013 and February 2014. We computed the percentages, adjusted OR and their corresponding 95% CI among participants with some awareness of e-cigarettes (79.2% of the sample). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed the perception about harmfulness for e-cigarette users and for passively exposed non-e-cigarette users, as well as the perception of usefulness for smokers of cigarette cessation and reduction. RESULTS: In this sample, 40.1% thought that e-cigarettes had a harmful effect on users, and 27.1% thought that e-cigarettes had a harmful effect on passively exposed bystanders (p<0.001). Particularly, more never-smokers perceived that e-cigarettes had harmful effects on passively exposed bystanders than current smokers (34.4% vs 20.6%; OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.63). More people perceived e-cigarettes as being useful for reducing smoking than for quitting (50.6% vs 29.9%, p<0.001), as well as for reducing smoking than as being harmful to users (50.6% vs 40.1%, p=0.044). DISCUSSION: The perception that e-cigarettes are useful for reducing tobacco consumption was more prevalent than the perception that e-cigarettes are harmful to users and to those passively exposed to e-cigarettes. Advertisements and messages about the use of e-cigarettes and their harmful effects should be regulated and based on scientific evidence to avoid creating erroneous ideas about their use.

Particulate Matter from Electronic Cigarettes and Conventional Cigarettes: a Systematic Review and Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to review the literature on the composition of aerosols from electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) originated by human vaping and to describe the emission of particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm in diameter (PM(2.5)) from conventional and e-cigarettes at home in real-use conditions. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed and Web of Science. We measured PM(2.5) in four different homes: one from a conventional cigarette smoker, one from an e-cigarette user, and two from non-smokers. RESULTS: The review identified eight previous investigations on the composition of aerosols from e-cigarettes originated by human vaping and indicated that emissions from e-cigarettes can contain potential toxic compounds such as nicotine, carbonyls, metals, and organic volatile compounds, besides particulate matter. In the observational study, the PM(2.5) median concentration was 9.88 µg/m³ in the e-cigarette user home and 9.53 and 9.36 µg/m³ in the smoke-free homes, with PM(2.5) peaks concurrent with the e-cigarette puffs. CONCLUSION: Both the literature review and the observational study indicate that e-cigarettes used under real-conditions emit toxicants, including PM(2.5). Further research is needed to characterize the chemicals emitted by different types of e-cigarettes and to assess secondhand exposure to e-cigarette aerosol using biological markers.

[Trends in ambulatory surgical procedures in Catalonia (Spain), 2001-2011]. / Evolución de la cirugía mayor ambulatoria en Cataluña, 2001-2011.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the trend in ambulatory surgery procedures in Catalonia (Spain) hospitals with regard to the activity in inpatient care units and structural resources in surgery. METHODS: A descriptive study was performed using data from the Statistics of Health Facilities with Inpatient Care of the Health Department of the Catalan Government from 2001 to 2011. Data from acute care hospitals were analysed and were classified in public and private hospitals. DISCUSSION: The percentage of ambulatory surgical procedures increased by 63.2% and the percentage of inpatient surgery decreased by 23.5% (this trend was more pronounced in public hospitals). This result coincided with a decrease of structural resources in surgery (beds and operating rooms) and with an improvement in inpatient surgical activity (a decrease in the mean length of stay and bed occupancy rate in all hospitals). Structural surgery resources were optimized and efficiency was improved in surgery inpatient care units.

Conocimiento y percepción de la nocividad del cigarrillo electrónico en población adulta de Barcelona / Knowledge of electronic cigarettes and their perceived harmfulness among the adult population in Barcelona (Spain)

Objetivo: Describir el conocimiento y la percepción de nocividad de los cigarrillos electrónicos (e-cigarrillos) en la población de Barcelona en 2013-2014. Métodos: Se utilizaron los datos del seguimiento (n=736) de un estudio de cohortes de una muestra representativa de la población adulta de la ciudad de Barcelona. Resultados: El 79,2% de los participantes manifestó conocer el e-cigarrillo. El grado de conocimiento medio fue de 4,4 puntos sobre 10, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas según edad, nivel de estudios, consumo de tabaco y dependencia de la nicotina. La mayoría de los participantes conocieron los e-cigarrillos por los medios de comunicación clásicos (57,8%). El 47,2% de los participantes opinaba que los e-cigarrillos son menos nocivos que los cigarrillos convencionales. Conclusión: La publicidad de los e-cigarrillos en los medios de comunicación debería regularse debido a la escasa evidencia científica sobre su utilidad y sus potenciales efectos adversos (AU)

Objective: To describe knowledge of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and their perceived harmfulness in the population of Barcelona in 2013-2014. Methods: We used participants from a longitudinal study of a representative sample of the adult population in the city of Barcelona (n=736). The field work was conducted between May 2013 and February 2014. Results: Awareness of e-cigarette was 79.2%. The average level of knowledge was 4.4 points out of 10; there were statistically significant differences according to age, educational level, tobacco consumption, and nicotine dependence. Most participants had learned about e-cigarettes through traditional media (57.8%). Nearly half (47.2%) of the participants believed that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Conclusion: Advertising of e-cigarettes in the media should be regulated because there is still scarce scientific evidence about the usefulness and harmful effects of these devices (AU)

Secondhand smoke in outdoor settings: smokers' consumption, non-smokers' perceptions, and attitudes towards smoke-free legislation in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To describe where smokers smoke outdoors, where non-smokers are exposed outdoors to secondhand smoke (SHS), and attitudes towards smoke-free outdoor areas after the implementation of national smoke-free legislation. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2011 and March 2012 (n=1307 participants). SETTING: Barcelona, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Representative, random sample of the adult (≥16 years) population. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Proportion of smoking and prevalence of exposure to SHS in the various settings according to type of enclosure. Percentages of support for outdoor smoke-free policies according to smoking status. RESULTS: Smokers reported smoking outdoors most in bars and restaurants (54.8%), followed by outdoor places at work (46.8%). According to non-smokers, outdoor SHS exposure was highest at home (42.5%) and in bars and restaurants (33.5%). Among non-smoking adult students, 90% claimed exposure to SHS on university campuses. There was great support for banning smoking in the majority of outdoor areas, which was stronger among non-smokers than smokers. Over 70% of participants supported smoke-free playgrounds, school and high school courtyards, and the grounds of healthcare centres. CONCLUSIONS: Extending smoking bans to selected outdoor settings should be considered in further tobacco control interventions to protect non-smokers from SHS exposure and to establish a positive model for youth. The majority of public support for some outdoor smoke-free areas suggests that it is feasible to extend smoking bans to additional outdoor settings.

El cardiólogo ante el cigarrillo electrónico / Cardiologists and electronic cigarettes

No disponible

[Knowledge of electronic cigarettes and their perceived harmfulness among the adult population in Barcelona (Spain)]. / Conocimiento y percepción de la nocividad del cigarrillo electrónico en población adulta de Barcelona.

OBJECTIVE: To describe knowledge of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and their perceived harmfulness in the population of Barcelona in 2013-2014. METHODS: We used participants from a longitudinal study of a representative sample of the adult population in the city of Barcelona (n=736). The field work was conducted between May 2013 and February 2014. RESULTS: Awareness of e-cigarette was 79.2%. The average level of knowledge was 4.4 points out of 10; there were statistically significant differences according to age, educational level, tobacco consumption, and nicotine dependence. Most participants had learned about e-cigarettes through traditional media (57.8%). Nearly half (47.2%) of the participants believed that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes. CONCLUSION: Advertising of e-cigarettes in the media should be regulated because there is still scarce scientific evidence about the usefulness and harmful effects of these devices.

Secondhand smoke in psychiatric units: patient and staff misperceptions.

BACKGROUND: Mental health units have usually been exempted from complete smoke-free policies. The aim of this study was to compare the self-reported level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) of patients and staff in psychiatric units to objective measures, and examine preference for different types of smoking bans. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey about ban preferences and self-reported exposure to SHS by means of a self-administered questionnaire administered to patients and staff from 65 inpatient psychiatric units in Catalonia (95.5% of all units). We measured air concentrations of particulate matter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5 in µg/m(3)) as a marker of SHS in these units. RESULTS: 600 patients and 575 professionals completed the questionnaire. 78.7% of them were objectively exposed to SHS (PM2.5>10 µm/m(3)) but 56.9% of patients and 33.6% of staff believed they were not exposed at all and 41.6% of patients and 28.4% of staff believed the environment was not at all unhealthy. Nurses had a higher smoking prevalence than psychiatrists (35.8% vs 17.2%; p<0.001), and nurses had a higher perception of being moderately highly exposed to SHS (40.3% vs 26.2%; p<0.001). PM2.5 levels were significantly different depending on the type of smoking ban implemented but unrelated to the perception of SHS levels by both patients and staff. Only 29.3% of staff and 14.1% of patients strongly supported total smoking bans. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and staff have substantial misperceptions about the extent of their exposure to SHS and low awareness about the harmful environment in which they stay/work. This might have an influence on the preference for less restrictive smoke-free bans. It is particularly noteworthy that less that one-third of mental health staff supported smoke-free units, suggesting an urgent need for further education about the harmful health effects of SHS.

Maintenance of tobacco cessation programmes in public hospitals in Catalonia, Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The provision of smoking cessation interventions in hospitals has been strongly recommended. The aim of this study is to determine the maintenance of smoking cessation programmes for inpatients and hospital workers in hospitals of Catalonia (Spain) seven years after the implementation of a Tobacco Cessation Programme. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in all hospitals that offer public service in Catalonia, Spain (n=73). An online questionnaire was sent to all coordinators of the smoke-free hospital project or managers of each hospital. The survey included questions about the type of hospital, type of programmes implemented and availability and source of smoking cessation drugs. RESULTS: Responses to the questionnaire were submitted by 58 hospitals (79.5%). 74% and 93.1% of the hospitals had smoking cessation programmes for inpatients and workers, respectively. Most of the hospitals maintained the programmes and started routinely buying smoking cessation drugs after a period of receiving them free-of-charge. However, 17.2% of the hospitals refused to buy these drugs and 24% never had these drugs available. CONCLUSIONS: Through a supportive Tobacco Cessation Programme, most hospitals have smoking cessation programmes for both patients and workers. Most of them have incorporated smoking cessation drugs as a regular resource in their services' portfolio. The lack of these resources may jeopardise the maintenance of well-established programmes in hospitals.