What does this research mean for the field?

Exposure to secondhand smoke at home affects nearly one in five Saudi adolescents and is independently associated with significantly higher odds of using cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the prevalence of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home among adolescents and its association with their tobacco use behaviors.

June 9, 2026Open Access

Secondhand smoke exposure at home and its association with tobacco use among adolescents in Saudi Arabia: findings from the 2022 global youth tobacco survey

Key Points

This study aims to assess the prevalence of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home among adolescents and its association with their tobacco use behaviors.
Secondary analysis of the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey dataset for Saudi Arabia comprising 6,983 students aged 11–17 years.
Complex survey design weighting for national representativeness, with SHS exposure defined as at least one day of exposure in the past week.
Weighted prevalence estimates calculated, followed by Rao–Scott chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
18.3% of adolescents reported SHS exposure at home, with females at 21.8% and males at 14.9%.
Adolescents exposed to SHS had higher odds of current cigarette use (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.11–2.85) and shisha use (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.04–2.76).
The study found independent associations between SHS exposure and tobacco use, underlining a need for family-centered interventions.

Abstract

Abstract Background Secondhand smoke (SHS) remains a preventable public health hazard that disproportionately affects adolescents. Despite the implementation of tobacco control measures in Saudi Arabia, SHS exposure within homes persists. This study assessed the prevalence of household SHS exposure among adolescents and examined its association with current tobacco/nicotine product use behaviors, including cigarettes, shisha, and e-cigarettes, using nationally representative data from the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). Methods A secondary analysis was conducted on the 2022 GYTS dataset for Saudi Arabia, comprising 6,983 students aged 11–17 years. Complex survey design weighting was applied to ensure national representativeness. SHS exposure was defined as at least one day of exposure to tobacco smoke at home in the past seven days. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, followed by Rao–Scott chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, parental and peer smoking, and weekly allowance. Results Overall, 18.3% of adolescents reported SHS exposure at home. SHS exposure at home was higher among females (21.8%) than males (14.9%). Adolescents exposed to SHS at home had significantly higher odds of current cigarette use (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.11–2.85), shisha use (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.04–2.76), e-cigarette use (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.15–2.63), and any tobacco/nicotine product use (AOR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.19–2.32) compared with their unexposed peers. Female sex, parental smoking, and having friends who smoked were independently associated with SHS exposure (all p < 0.05). Conclusions Nearly one in five Saudi adolescents are exposed to secondhand smoke at home. Household SHS exposure was independently associated with higher odds of current tobacco/nicotine product use across multiple products. These findings underscore the need for family-centered interventions and strengthened efforts to promote smoke-free home environments to reduce youth tobacco vulnerability.

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