Full Smoking Ban Research Articles

Guest Support for Outdoor Smoke-Free Policies within a Homeless Shelter.

Roughly 70–80% of adults experiencing homelessness smoke cigarettes. Smoke-free living/workplace policies are an empirically-supported tobacco control intervention. However, homeless shelters may be reluctant to implement smoke-free policies due to fears of it discouraging current/potential shelter guests from taking refuge there. The current study was meant to characterize guest support for on-property smoke-free policies within a homeless shelter with an extant indoor tobacco use ban amongst never smokers, former smokers, and current smokers to provide data on this point. Participants comprised a convenience sample of adult guests of a homeless shelter in Texas (N = 394, 28.2% women; 10.2% former; and 75.9% current smokers). Participant sociodemographics, smoking status, behavioral health diagnoses, and support for two versions of an on-property outdoor courtyard smoke-free policy (one partial, one complete) were assessed. Data were collected in two waves in a repeated cross-sectional design. Overall, 64.0% of participants supported a partial, and 32.0% a full smoking ban. Logistic regressions, controlling for wave of data collection, age, sex, and any additional significant predictors from a semi-adjusted model, examined associations between participant characteristics and policy support. Older participants (OR = 1.024, CI0.95 = 1.005–1.044), non-veterans (OR = 2.523, CI0.95 = 1.156–5.506), former smokers (OR = 2.730, CI0.95 = 1.191–6.258), and those without severe mental illness (OR = 1.731, CI0.95 = 1.061–2.824) had significantly greater odds of supporting a partial smoking ban. Relative to current smokers, never smokers (OR = 3.902, CI0.95 = 2.133–7.137) and former smokers (OR = 8.257, CI0.95 = 3.951–17.258) had significantly greater odds of supporting a complete smoking ban. The implementation of smoke-free living/workplace policies in homeless shelters may enjoy more support from guests—specifically, non-smokers—than anticipated by shelter administrators. Aside from reducing ambient smoke exposure for never and former smokers, these policies can help to reduce ubiquitous smoking cues for those who may want to quit, are undergoing a quit attempt, or are trying to maintain abstinence. Interventionists might partner with shelter guests, particularly smokers, to inform the roll-out of such policies for maximal acceptance and adoption.

The Role of Ethnicity and Nativity in the Correspondence between Subjective and Objective Measures of In-Home Smoking.

Studies are needed to understand the association between self-reported home smoking bans and objective measures of in-home smoking according to smokers' ethnicity/nativity. Data came from a trial that used air particle monitors to reduce children's secondhand smoke exposure in smokers' households (N = 251). Linear regressions modeled (a) full home smoking bans by ethnicity/nativity, and (b) objectively measured in-home smoking events, predicted by main and interaction effects of self-reported home smoking bans and ethnicity/nativity. Among smokers reporting < a full ban, US-born and Foreign-born Latinos had fewer in-home smoking events than US-born Whites (p < 0.001). Participants who reported a full smoking ban had a similar frequency of smoking events regardless of ethnicity/nativity. Results indicate thatself-reported home smoking bans can be used as a proxy for in-home smoking. Establishing smoking bans in the households of US-born White smokers has the largest impact on potential exposure compared to other ethnicity/nativity groups.

Tourist floods, GDP rockets, the government intervenes: smoking ordinance and its implementation

ABSTRACTThe first smoking regulation in Macau was marked in 1983. Due to the rising annual tourist arrival to around 30 million, a new smoking ordinance was implemented in 2012 and underwent transitions in 2013 and 2016, with the most current one in 2018, which heads to a full smoking ban. Under the intensive pace of implementation, the government and business segments have expressed controversial views on the impacts to tourists. More insight is required about the smoking behavior of tourists, which is still an under-explored area in contemporary researches. The current research has constructed a structural equation model based on an extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior that consists of the five variables, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavior control, past behavior and moral norms. It is found that attitude and past behavior of tourists imposed the strongest positive correlations with their smoking intention, whilst past behavior and moral norms can mediate the effect of attitudes and perceived behavior control on smoking intention.

Smoking-Related Attitudes and Knowledge Among Medical Students and Recent Graduates in Argentina: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Physicians in Argentina smoke at rates similar to the general population, and do not have a clear role in tobacco control strategies. To describe the attitudes and knowledge of medical students and recent graduates towards smoking behavior in Argentina. Cross-sectional self-administered online survey conducted in 2011. Medical students and recent medical graduates from the University of Buenos Aires. Attitudes and knowledge were evaluated by responses to 16 statements regarding the effects of smoking cigarettes and the role of physicians in tobacco control. Rates of agreement with a full ban on indoor smoking in different public settings were assessed. The sample included 1659 participants (response rate: 35.1%), 453 of whom (27.3%) were current smokers. Only 52% of participants agreed that doctors should set an example for their patients by not smoking, 30.9% thought that medical advice had little effect on patients' cessation behavior, and 19.4% believed that physicians could decline to care for smoking patients who failed to quit. In adjusted logistic regression models, current smokers had less supportive attitudes about tobacco control and were less likely than non-smokers to agree with a full indoor smoking ban in hospitals (OR: 0.30; 95% CI 0.16-0.58), universities (OR: 0.55; 95% CI 0.41-0.73), workplaces (OR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.50-0.88), restaurants (OR: 0.42; 95% CI 0.33-0.53), cafes (OR: 0.41; 95% CI 0.33-0.51), nightclubs (OR: 0.32; 95% CI 0.25-0.40), and bars (0.35; 95% CI 0.28-0.45). Recent medical graduates had more accurate knowledge about cessation and were more likely to agree with a full smoking ban in recreational venues. Although most participants reported a strong anti-tobacco attitude, a proportion still failed to recognize the importance of their role as physicians in tobacco control strategies. Current smokers and current students were less likely to support indoor smoking bans. Specific educational curricula could address these factors.

Smoking behaviors before and after implementation of a smoke-free legislation in Guangzhou, China

BackgroundAccording to the partial smoke-free legislation implemented on 1 September 2010 in Guangzhou, China, smoke-free did not cover all indoor areas. Some places have a full smoking ban (100 % smoke-free), other places have a partial smoking ban, and homes have no ban. This study aimed to compare the smoking behaviors before and after implementation of a smoke-free legislation.MethodA repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted on smoking-related behaviors with a total of 4,900 respondents before, and 5,135 respondents after the legislation was instituted. For each wave of the survey, a three-stage stratified sampling process was used to obtain a representative sample. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine differences of smoking prevalence and quit ratio between the two samples. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of a smoke-free legislation with smoking behaviors.ResultsThe overall daily smoking rate declined significantly from 20.8 % to 18.2 % (p < 0.05), especially among those aged 15–24 years. The quit ratios increased significantly (from 14.5 % to 17.9 %), but remained low among 15–44 year olds. The overall self-reported smoking behaviors in locations with a full smoking ban decreased significantly from 36.4 % to 24.3 % with the greater drops occurring in cultural venues, public transport vehicles, and government offices. Smoking in places with partial smoking bans remained high (89.6 % vs. 90.4 %), although a slight decrease was observed in some of these areas. The implementation of a smoke-free legislation did not lead to more smoking in homes (91.0 % vs 89.4 %), but smoking in homes remained high.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive smoke-free legislation covering all public places in Guangzhou, simultaneously educational interventions and campaigns promoting voluntary changes in home smoking need to occur.

Full and home smoking ban adoption after a randomized controlled trial targeting secondhand smoke exposure reduction.

The current study examined home and full (i.e., home plus car) smoking ban adoption as secondary outcomes to a randomized controlled trial targeting reduced secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) for children under treatment for cancer. Families with at least 1 adult smoker who reported SHSe for their children (n = 119) were randomized to control or intervention conditions and followed for 1 year with 5 assessments. Both groups were advised of the negative health outcomes associated with SHSe; the intervention group provided more in-depth counseling from baseline to 3 months. Parents reported on household and car smoking behavior, demographic, psychosocial, and medical/treatment-related information. Regardless of group assignment, there was an increase in home (odds ration [OR] = 1.16, p = .074) and full (OR = 1.37, p = .001) smoking ban adoption across time. Families in the intervention group were more likely to adopt a full ban by 3 months, but this difference was nonsignificant by 12 months. Married parents (OR = 2.33, p = .006) and those with higher self-efficacy for controlling children's SHSe (OR = 1.11, p = .023) were more likely to have a home smoking ban; parents who reported smoking fewer cigarettes were more likely to adopt a home (OR = 1.62, p < .0001) or full (OR = 7.32, p = .038) ban. Smoking bans are in-line with Healthy People 2020's tobacco objectives and may be more feasible for parents with medically compromised children for immediate SHSe reduction. Furthermore, interventions targeting full smoking bans may be a more effective for comprehensive elimination of SHSe.

Second-hand smoke exposure in different types of venues: before and after the implementation of smoke-free legislation in Guangzhou, China

ObjectivesSmoke-free legislation was implemented in Guangzhou on 1 September 2010. However, the smoke-free policy did not cover all indoor areas and smoking rooms can be set in some public places....

Home smoking policies in urban households with children and smokers

ObjectiveWe identified household, child, and demographic characteristics associated with not having a smoking ban and having a rule about smoking in the presence of children in an urban population. MethodWe conducted a cross-sectional random digit dial telephone survey (n=456) of Philadelphia parents in June 2012. ResultsForty-eight percent of homes reported a full smoking ban. In homes that allowed smoking, over half allowed smoking in front of children. Cigarettes smoked in the home decreased as the restrictiveness of the bans increased. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that compared to having a full ban, banning smoking only in the presence of children was associated with being African-American, having a child >5years old, and having an asthma-free child. These characteristics, as well as having both parents as smokers and not having an outdoor space, were also associated with not having any restrictions. ConclusionIt is possible that households attempt to reduce home smoking by limiting smoking in the presence of children. Health communication messages should be used to inform families about the lingering effects of SHS in the home even when smoking does not occur in the presence of a child.

Is there an impact of public smoking bans on self-reported smoking status and exposure to secondhand smoke?

BackgroundImplementation of smoke free policies has potentially substantial effects on health by reducing secondhand smoke exposure. However little is known about whether the introduction of anti-smoking legislation translates into decreased secondhand smoke exposure. We examined whether smoking bans impact rates of secondhand smoke exposure in public places and rates of complete workplace smoking restriction.MethodsCanadian Community Health Survey was used to obtain secondhand smoking exposure rates in 15 Ontario municipalities. Data analysis included descriptive summaries and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and compared across groupsResultsAcross all studied municipalities, secondhand smoke exposure in public places decreased by 4.7% and workplace exposure decreased by 2.3% between the 2003 and 2005 survey years. The only jurisdiction to implement a full ban from no previous ban was also the only setting that experienced significant decreases in both individual exposure to secondhand smoke in a public place (-17.3%, 95% CI -22.8, -11.8) and workplace exposure (-18.1%, 95% CI -24.9, -11.3). Exposures in vehicles and homes declined in almost all settings over time.ConclusionsImplementation of a full smoking ban was associated with the largest decreases in secondhand smoke exposure while partial bans and changes in existing bans had inconsistent effects. In addition to decreasing exposure in public places as would be expected from legislation, bans may have additional benefits by decreasing rates of current smokers and decreasing exposures to secondhand smoke in private settings.

How big is support for smoking prohibition in public places in Kyrgyzstan among mining employees?

Summary Background In Kyrgyz Republic, some, but not all, workplaces and public places have been designated smoke-free, but the extent of support for this is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine how big if any this support is. Methods A cross-sectional sample of employees at the biggest mining company in Kyrgyzstan was interviewed during their annual medical examination. A self-administered questionnaire on attitudes towards a full smoking ban at the workplace along with questions on knowledge and attitudes regarding the current legislation was used on 1881 employees, who lived mostly in Bishek and the Issyk-Kul area. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictive role of smoking, sex, and place of residence. Results Participants were mostly men (87.1%), aged 38.6±9.4 years. In general, the employees supported a stricter tobacco control policy in their company (59.2%), and 58.2% supported a full smoking ban at workplaces and 61.5% in dwelling rooms at the mining site. The current tobacco control Law was familiar to 63% of employees (49% women). Of 668 participants, 85% indicated full support for the smoking ban in public places, and 77% supported full prohibition of smoking in places where smoking was currently partially banned. Smokers were less likely to support a full smoking ban in places with a current partial ban (OR 0.52; 0.35–0.75). Conclusions The level of awareness of the tobacco control legislation was very low among Kyrgyzstan mining employees. They supported the full smoking ban in places where smoking was already prohibited and a full smoking ban in places where smoking was currently only restricted.

Correlates of household smoking bans among Chinese Americans

No population-based data are available on the degree to which Chinese Americans have adopted smoke-free household policies and whether these policies are effective in reducing environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. The present study examines the prevalence of smoke-free home rules among Chinese Americans living in New York City, describes predictors of adopting full smoking bans in the home, and explores the association between household smoking restrictions and ETS exposure at home. In-person interviews using a comprehensive household-based survey were conducted with 2,537 adults aged 18-74 years. Interviews were conducted in Mandarin, Cantonese, and other Chinese dialects. A total of 66% of respondents reported that smoking was not allowed inside the home, 22% reported a partial ban on smoking in the home, and 12% reported no smoking ban. Among current smokers, 38% reported a full household smoking ban. Current smoking status was the strongest predictor of less restrictive household smoking policies. Knowledge of the dangers of ETS, support of smoke-free air legislation, years in the United States, gender, income, and marital status also were associated with household smoking bans. Those living with a total household smoking ban were significantly less likely to report 30-day exposure to ETS than were those living in homes with a partial ban or no ban (7% vs. 68% and 73%, respectively). In homes of smokers and nonsmokers alike, exposure to ETS remains high. Smoke-free home rules and interventions among smokers and nonsmokers to raise awareness of the dangers of ETS have the potential to significantly reduce exposure to household ETS among this immigrant population.