Smokers' and non-smokers' secondhand smoke experiences and interactions to reduce exposure in Armenia and Georgia

INTRODUCTION Armenia and Georgia have high rates of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe). Greater progress in recent smoke-free legislation in Georgia and Armenia provides a pivotal time for examining the impact on smokers' and non-smokers' experiences and interactions regarding SHSe. METHODS Surveys were conducted in 28 communities in Armenia (n=705) and Georgia (n=751) in 2018 and assessed past 30-day SHSe and smoking in different contexts, as well as attitudes toward and interactions regarding SHSe. RESULTS In this sample (mean age 43.4 years, SD=13.5; 60.5% female; 27.3% smokers), SHSe among non-smokers was usually in homes (42.7%), cars (42.4%), and outdoor public places (38.2%); smokers also reported smoking usually in these places (70.0%, 62.1%, and 60.0%, respectively). Smokers indicated greater likelihood of putting out cigarettes and non-smokers indicated greater likelihood of asking smokers to put them out in places where smoking was prohibited versus allowed (76.5% vs 57.3%, and 46.6% vs 30.7%, respectively). Moreover, 89.9% of smokers indicated being very likely to put out cigarettes around small children if asked and 75.8% indicated trying to minimize SHSe. While 39.7% of participants reported seeing requests to smokers to put out cigarettes in the past 6 months, only 23.3% of smokers reported being asked to do so. Non-smokers in Georgia versus Armenia reported greater likelihood of engaging in behaviors to lower SHSe (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Smoke-free legislation may catalyze more behaviors to lower SHSe, particularly among non-smokers; however, private settings (e.g. homes) remain prominent SHSe sources. Public health efforts must consider implications of such policies on SHSe in private settings.