Abstract
Smoking is a leading cause of death worldwide. Many nations have implemented bans on smoking in public places to try to increase national health and to relieve the economic burden caused by the deteriorating health of smokers. In 2012, Costa Rica passed similar legislation barring smoking in any area that was deemed a gathering place for people, including outdoor areas such as bus stops and parks.This project evaluated a verbal questionnaire in order to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and habits of smokers, as well as to ascertain establishment compliance, in San José and Jacó, Costa Rica. The survey was completed by 150 smokers and 54 establishments over a span of two months. General knowledge of the law was found to be at a relatively low level, with most participants only having the most basic knowledge of the specific locations in which the law prohibits smoking. However, it was also found that men were more likely to have a deeper knowledge of the law than women (p=0.02). A tendency was found between the type of smoker and the change in smoking habits after the law passed where heavy smokers diminished their tobacco use, medium smokers sustained the same use, and light smokers slightly increased their use. (p=0.19). When combining other demographic groups with their changes in smoking habits, no significant tendency was found; the law does not appear to have a direct effect on any specific subgroup. This is not for lack of proper implementation, as 81.48% of establishments had the required no smoking sign of correct size and color. The overall effectiveness of the new law in decreasing tobacco use has been minimal, regardless of education level, gender, or job type.
Highlights
RESUMEN: El tabaquismo es una de las adiciones más mortales en el mundo
The migratory status of those interviewed was 68.67% nationals and 31.33% foreigners. Of those who were national born Costa Ricans, 7.77% were from Alajuela, 1% were from Guanacaste, 5.83% were from Heredia, 64.08% were from San José, 14.56% were from Puntarenas, and 6.80% were from Cartago
Type of Smoker and Change in Tobacco Use: The research showed that in Costa Rica heavy smokers were significantly decreasing their consumption of tobacco by about six and a half cigarettes a day, with medium smokers maintaining their same smoking habits and light smokers slightly increasing their consumption by about four cigarettes a day
Summary
RESUMEN: El tabaquismo es una de las adiciones más mortales en el mundo. Muchos países han prohibido el uso del tabaco en lugares públicos. En 2012, Costa Rica aprobó una ley similar a los de otros países que prohíbe el fumado en lugares en que hay gente. Los efectos de la nueva ley de tabaco han sido mínimos sin una disminución grande en cualquier grupo demográfico. Palabras clave: La prohibición de fumar, El consumo de tabaco, Fumadores, Costa Rica, Los efectos de la ley. A study in Canada found a more significant decline in tobacco use (Lemstra, Neudorf, & Opondo, 2008). These studies were able to draw correlations between different populations and changes in smoking habits. The objectives of my survey were to determine: a) knowledge and attitudes of Costa Rican smokers about the new law concerning tobacco consumption in Costa Rica, b) how a person’s smoking habits have changed since the implementation of the law, c) if local establishments are in compliance with the new law and d) if local venders have noticed a significant change in tobacco sales
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
