Paper Title
The Prevalence of Secondhand Smoking Among Preschool Children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract
Background: second hand smoking (SHS) is a major problem worldwide and can lead to many diseases. This aim of this cross-sectional study is to assess the prevalence of SHS exposure of preschool children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The study involves 350 adults who live with children between the ages of three and six years who are exposed to smoking. Participants were recruited from three different shopping malls that represent a cross-section of Jeddah�s population. A self-reported questionnaire was used to gather the data of this study and to assess the preschool children�s exposure to SHS at home, during social visits, in coffee shops, restaurants, and in vehicles. A modified SHS scale was used in the study, and SPSS version 21 was used to analyze the data. Result:The study revealed that children between the ages of three and six are exposed to SHS in 64.86% of homes, 72.85% of the time when socializing, 53.43% of the time in coffee shops, in 49.14% of restaurants, and during 43.1% of vehicular travels in families that have at least one member who is a smoker. The level of SHS exposure was not associated with age, gender, or other demographic variables. Conclusion: Children are exposed to high levels of SHS. Health promotional programs should be implemented to solve this problem. Keywords: Secondhand smoking, passive smoking, involuntary smoking, children, pediatrics, toddlers, infants, preschool age, Saudi Arabia, KSA, Middle East, Islamic region.