Relationship of Attitudinal Tolerance to Second Hand Smoking and Support for Tobacco Control Policy/Legislation Among a Minority Population

Purpose:

Tobacco smoke, mainstream or environmental (ets), has been implicated in chronic and acute diseases for a significant number of people, including children. While most policy and legislation currently control smoking in public places, private spaces, including homes and private transportation, have become environments of major exposure, especially for children. We examine relationships between attitudes to tobacco use in private spaces and support for environmental tobacco control legislation targeted at private spaces among adults in Hinds County, Mississippi.

Methods:

Using stratified convenience sampling, a standardized and validated questionnaire was applied to 349 male and female respondents in five districts of Hinds County, Mississippi. Data collected by trained interns and community tobacco control advocates included tobacco avoidance behavior and attitude in relation to support to tobacco control legislation in private spaces. The relationships were analyzed.

Results:

Those who engaged in tobacco avoidance behavior regularly were more likely to favor tobacco legislation controlling ets in private spaces. Also, those who feel strongly about the effects of tobacco smoke on health were more likely to support tobacco control legislation in private spaces. Implications for policy and education for both community and policy makers are discussed.