INTRODUCTION

Adult smoking in the family, and especially in the presence of children, is a particularly significant indicator of the negative impact not only on their health, but also to behavior in the present and future.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the associations of smoking in families with a self-assessment of health, lifestyle and quality of life of schoolchildren.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

624 students of 6—7 and 8—10 classes of schools in Moscow and Murmansk (321 boys and 303 girls) and their parents were examined. The survey included: a survey of parents on a structured questionnaire (socio-economic status of the family, smoking data of parents and other family members) and a survey of students (self-assessment of health, lifestyle, behavioral and eating habits, psychosocial factors).

RESULTS

280 (45%) families of schoolchildren had smoking relatives lived with them, as well as 197 (46%) fathers and every 5^th mother. Mothers smoked more often at home, fathers — outside. Girls living in a family with smokers were more likely to report health problems than non-smoking families — 60 (60.6%) versus 62 (45.9%) (p=0.026). Pupils living in families with smoking parents and other relatives more often had health problems, spent more time at the computer, had less diversified free time, less often adhered to the principles of healthy lifestyle, and also noted problems in relations with relatives in emotional terms. Parents’ smoking negatively influenced the eating habits of their children, forming a diet with a higher consumption of canned and smoked meats, soft drinks, a lower content of fruits and vegetables in the diet, and rarer daily breakfasts.

CONCLUSION

Smoking in the family has a negative impact on the way and quality of life of schoolchildren, their health, psycho-emotional state, behavior, and the formation of healthy lifestyle skills. Preventive measures should direct to stopping smoke in the family and preventing the onset of smoking among children and adolescents.