259252 Impact of demographic characteristics on individual support for smoke free indoor workplace laws

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Terrell W. Zollinger, DrPH , Department of Epidemiology, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN
Robert M. Saywell, PhD , Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Joshua Robinson, MPH , Office of Research and Development, U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, Washington, DC
Stephen Jay, MD , Department of Public Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Miranda Spitznagle, MPH , Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Commission, Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN
Objective: It is important that policy makers understand the basis of support of their constituents for clean air policies. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent selected demographic characteristics affect attitudes about community and/or state legislation to make all public buildings, including all workplaces, restaurants and bars, smoke free. Design: Data were obtained from a 2008 cross-sectional study of 2,140 Indiana adults conducted by the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency and included 11 demographic variables. Bivariate chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to test for significant associations between socio-demographic characteristics and support for a statewide or community smoking ban. Results: Nearly three-quarters (72.3%) of the respondents supported a community or statewide ban on smoking in indoor work areas. Three variables were significant predictors of support: never or former smokers were more supportive, as were females, and those who were more aware of the health hazards of secondhand smoke. It is important to note that age, race and ethnicity, income, urban or rural location, education level, employment status, and having children at home did not affect support for workplace smoking bans. Conclusions: Clean air policies produce a safer environment for non-smokers with their improved health and economic benefits but also provide motivation for those quitting tobacco use and thus are important to enact. The results of this study could be important in further increasing focused public awareness strategies to help develop more effective public health policy and legislation aimed at reducing exposure to secondhand smoke.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Occupational health and safety
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Compare the characteristics of individuals who support clean indoor air laws to those who don't. 2. Discuss the policy implications of similar support for smoke free indoor workplaces across groups of individuals based on age, race, ethnicity, income, urban-rural location, employment status, and education level.

Keywords: Smoking, Indoor Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the director of multiple funded research projects and I have published manuscripts on tobacco use research.
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.

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