Effect of smoke-free legislation on smoking cessation rates in teachers in Manisa, Turkey

Abstract

This study investigated the attitudes of Turkish adults towards the ban on smoking in public areas and compared annual smoking cessation rates before (pre-2009) and after (post-2009) the ban became law, using data from a survey of teachers. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from teachers in Manisa, Turkey. Annual smoking rates were calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify when a significant change occurred in the annual smoking cessation rate. Questionnaire response rate was 79.6% (579/727); 47.8% (277) of respondents were male. Smoking prevalence among men and women was 32.7% and 24.7%, respectively, and 97.3% of nonsmokers and 75.5% of current everyday smokers supported the law changes. Results of the Joinpoint analysis showed no significant change in annual smoking cessation rate between 2001-2002 and 2006-2007; but there were significant reductions in smoking rates between 2007-2008 and 2010-2011. Teachers in Turkey have a positive attitude to the law on smoking. The smoking cessation rate in teachers was significantly increased by changes in legislation.