Our findings suggest that adolescents who are exposed
to tobacco at home or with friends are more likely to report
diagnosed asthma, wheeze, and dry cough. This is not surprising
as exposure to environmental tobacco is a wellrecognized
risk factor of asthma and respiratory symptoms
[20, 39, 40]. This highlights the importance of supporting
antitobacco messages and education campaigns targeting
families and adolescents regarding the risks of tobacco use
[41]. These strategies can be useful in reducing the burden
of respiratory conditions in the UAE. Consistent with
literature, our results suggest that adolescents who report
residential humidity are also more likely to report wheeze
[42]. Our findings also indicate that adolescents who have
pests (e.g., cockroaches, rodents) in their residence are more
likely to report dry cough. While the link between pests, a
biological pollutant, and cough remains to be established,
there is evidence suggesting that pests can trigger asthma
[43]. Our study suggests that paraoccupational exposure to
arts/crafts/ceramics/stained glass work/similar hobbies may
be linked to diagnosis with chronic bronchitis and emphysema
among UAE adolescents. This is not surprising, given
that inhalation and exposure to dust of silica—which is a
component of traditional ceramics and glass—can increase
the risk of developing respiratory conditions [44, 45].