The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54581

Michael Siegel, MD, MPH¹, Alison B. Albers, PhD¹, and Margie R. Skeer, MSW². (1) Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, TW2, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-5167, mbsiegel@bu.edu, (2) School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany St., T2W, Boston, MA 02118

Objectives: To examine the effect of local restaurant smoking regulations on (1) restaurant secondhand smoke exposure among youths; and (2) youths’ perceptions of smoking prevalence. Methods: We conducted a random-digit dial telephone survey of 3,863 Massachusetts youths ages 12 to 17 and ascertained how often they saw smokers in restaurants in their town as well as their perception of smoking prevalence in their town. The strength of restaurant smoking regulations in each town was categorized as weak, medium (smoking restricted to separately ventilated areas) or strong (smoking banned completely). Using multiple logistic regression, we assessed the effect of local restaurant smoking regulation strength on non-exposure to secondhand smoke in restaurants (seeing smokers never or only rarely) and on having a correct, rather than inflated perception of smoking prevalence. Results: Youths from towns with medium-strength restaurant smoking regulations were 1.4 times more likely (odds ratio = 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.65) and youths from towns with strong regulations were twice as likely (odds ratio = 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.64-2.52) to report non-exposure to secondhand smoke in restaurants in their town. Youths from towns with strong regulations were 1.4 times more likely (odds ratio = 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.74) to have a correct perception of smoking prevalence in their town; medium regulations had no effect on perceived smoking prevalence. Conclusions: Strong restaurant smoking regulations are effective in reducing restaurant secondhand smoke exposure among youths and have a significant effect on youths’ perception of smoking prevalence in their community.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Describe research methods that can be used to assess the impact of local restaurant smoking regulations on secondhand smoke exposure and attitudinal outcomes.
• Articulate a conceptual hypothesis by which restaurant smoking regulations might affect social norms regarding smoking.
• Analyze local restaurant smoking regulations to predict their likely effect on exposure and attitudes among affected youths.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.