Are US Adults Willing to Support Community Efforts to Go Smoke-Free?

Background: Comprehensive tobacco control programs call for eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke in public spaces by establishing smoke-free policies. Studies have noted the importance of tracking public attitudes as a measure of progress toward reaching this goal; however, little is known about what specific actions the public is willing to engage in to support their community going smoke-free.

Objective: This study describes actions US adults are willing to engage in to promote their community¢s efforts to go smoke-free.

Method: Data from ConsumerStyles 2010, a cross-sectional consumer mail panel survey of US adults aged ³18 years was used (n= 9,839). Respondents were asked to select from a list of multiple actions to support smoke-free efforts (i.e., write a letter, call city council, sign petition, share e-mail, speak at city council, would not support ban, would not get involved) to support smoke-free efforts.

Results: Fifty-nine percent of adults were willing to engage in 1 or more community actions to support smoke-free policies. The most frequently reported activities in support of community efforts to go smoke-free were: signing petitions (55.2%), sharing emails (26.6%), and writing letters (14.6%). Compared to those not in favor of taking action, those in favor of supporting community actions were more likely to be woman (OR= 1.21; 95% CI = 1.07-1.37).

Conclusion: The majority of adults were amenable to promote smoke-free policies in their communities. These results may be useful for local tobacco control organizations to leverage community engagement in implementing smoke-free policies in their communities.