An evaluation of the influence of local anti-smoking ordinances

Background: Although anti-tobacco advocates and policymakers experienced great success in advancing indoor smoking restrictions at the local level in the 1990s, tobacco policy researchers during this period were hesitant to encourage similar policies regulating indoor smoking at the state level. In the absence of a successful experience with implementing local ordinances and the grassroots support they would generate, researchers feared that any attempt at statewide legislation would be weakened by powerful tobacco interests and, in many cases, preempt strong local ordinances.

Methods: This study used data from the Americans for Nonsmokers Rights on local ordinances as well as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on state smoking laws, smoking prevalence, and lung cancer incidence.

Results: This study found that the presence of local smoking ordinances in a state is actually associated with a weaker state smoking law over time. This did not result, however, in a statistically higher smoking prevalence or lung cancer incidence at the state level.

Conclusions: This study suggests that each state must approach its tobacco control policies based on its own unique political culture and values. States that do seek to strengthen statewide smoking restrictions may find success through non-traditional strategies, including increasing a state's cigarette excise tax and increasing funding for tobacco prevention programs.