176333 Religiosity and opinions about smoking policies

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ki H. Park, MA , Center for Social and Behavioral Research, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Melvin E. Gonnerman, Ph D , Center for Social and Behavioral Research, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Gene M. Lutz, PhD , Center for Social and Behavioral Research, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
The relationships of religiosity and church attendance with opinions about policies regulating cigarette smoking were examined using data from the 2006 Iowa Adult Tobacco Survey (Lutz, Gonnerman, Park & Collingwood, 2007). Survey data were collected from 1,950 adult Iowans via Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) by the Center for Social and Behavioral Research (CSBR) at the University of Northern Iowa. A complex design was used; therefore, the data were weighted prior to analysis. The sample was predominately White (96%) and Christian (63% Protestant and 26% Catholic) which was consistent with Iowa's demographics. Opinions about whether cigarette smoking should be prohibited in public places, such as restaurants and bars, varied with religiosity and attendance of religious services. Adult Iowans with higher levels of religiosity and higher levels of attendance generally preferred more restrictive policies about smoking in public places. Religiosity and attendance of a religious service during the past 30 days were related to opinions about whether local or state government should be allowed to regulate smoking in restaurants. The majority of adults who considered themselves religious and those who attended at least one religious service favored local control; conversely, the majority of those who did not consider themselves religious and did not attend a religious service favored state control. These findings can be used in discussions about how to frame tobacco control policies and in understanding how religious beliefs and practices can impact public support for public health initiatives and interventions.

Learning Objectives:
1. To develop an understanding of the relationship between self-reported religiosity and opinions about smoking policies in public places. 2. To develop an understanding of the relationship between self-reported attendance of religious services and opinions about smoking policies in public places. 3. To develop a better appreciation for how people’s religious beliefs and practices influence their opinions about public health initiatives and interventions pertaining to cigarette use. 4. To discuss how policy makers could involve religious organizations as advocates for public health policies protecting people from second-hand smoke exposure.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was one of the lead researchers.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.