141st APHA Annual Meeting

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Attitudes toward smokefree bar policy among young adult bar patrons: A study in las vegas

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Nan Jiang, PhD , Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Amanda Fallin, PhD, RN , Center for Tobacco Policy Research and Education, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Jeff Jordan, MA , Rescue Social Change Group, San Diego, CA
Pamela Ling, MD, MPH , Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Objective: Bars and nightclubs are public venues where young adults often congregate and use both tobacco and alcohol. Las Vegas, Nevada has not implemented smokefree bar laws. We examined Las Vegas young adult bar patrons' attitudes toward smokefree bar policies.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of bar patrons aged 18-30 using randomized time location sampling (N=2557, response rate: 63%). We used multivariate logistic regression models to examine factors associated with support for the adoption of smokefree bar law in Nevada and the same/higher frequency of going to bars if the law is implemented, controlling for demographics.

Results: 40% of participants supported a smokefree bar law, and 72% reported they would go to smokefree bars at a same or higher frequency. Among smokers, 31% supported the law and 62% reported same/higher bar-going frequency if law is implemented. Ever receiving quit assistance was associated with support for the law. Patrons reporting occasional binge drinking and secondhand smoke exposure at bars also reported they would attend smokefree bars at the same/higher frequency. Occasional drinking, attitudes against smoking, secondhand smoke and tobacco industry predicted both types of support outcomes; whereas current smoking, regular smoking, intention for future smoking and stronger smoking social norms were negatively associated with support for smokefree bars.

Discussion: While most young adult bar patrons are not in favor of smokefree bar laws, the majority of them reported they would maintain the same bar-going frequency if a law were implemented, including smokers. Smoking cessation efforts may increase support for smokefree bar policies.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the amount of support for adoption of a smokefree bar law in Nevada among young adult bar patrons and their reports of the policy’s effect on the frequency they would go out to bars. Discuss the factors associated with positive and negative attitudes toward the adoption of smokefree bar laws among young adult bar patrons in Las Vegas, Nevada Discuss the factors associated with a self-reported reduced frequency of going to smokefree bars in response to a smokefree policy among young adult bar patrons in Las Vegas, Nevada

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed this study and conducted data analysis.
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.