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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Terrell W. Zollinger, DrPH¹, Robert Saywell, PhD¹, Ellen Striebel, MLS, RN², Sandra Cummings³, and Miranda Spitznagle, MPH⁴. (1) Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University, 1110 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (2) Indiana University, Department of Public Health, 1050 Wishard Blvd, RG 4100, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-278-0300, estriebe@iupui.edu, (3) Marion County Health Department, 3838 N. Rural, Indianapolis, IN 46205, (4) Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, 150 W. Market St., Suite 406, Indianapolis, IN 46204

This study examined changes in residents' attitudes, beliefs, and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) over a six-year period by smoking status. Responses to 11 similar SHS-related questions from five independent telephone surveys of Marion County (Indianapolis, Indiana) adults conducted between 1998 and 2004 were compared. T-tests were used to determine statistical significance. A number of state and local level advocacy efforts to support legislation for smoke free workplaces coincided with these surveys. Support for regulations prohibiting smoking in the workplace increased from 68.8% in 1998 to 77.0% in 2002; for restaurants, support increased from 54.2% in 1998 to 66.1% in 2002; and in other public places, support increased from 64.2% in 1998 to 74.1% in 2002. The greatest support for regulations was found among those who never smoked, followed by former smokers and current smokers. The percent who would dine out more if restaurants were to adopt a smoking ban more than doubled from 2002 to 2004 (12.5% versus 30.7%). Significant increases were found among all three smoking status groups (3.7% to 10.0% for current smokers, 5.2% to 28.5% for former smokers, and 21.1% to 45.0% for never smokers). Most adults (63.2% to 90.9%) were aware of the major health effects of SHS, with the exception of strokes, and their knowledge levels remained relatively constant. Significantly fewer current smokers believed that SHS exposure causes health problems such as heart disease and lung cancer. Results of this study can provide evidence to support advocacy efforts to influence public policy.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how to measure support for SHS policies in the population
• Describe the advocacy efforts that attempt to change support for SHS policies
• Recognize the trends in community support for SHS policies as a result of those efforts

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No