Role of Race and Ethnicity on Support for Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing in South Florida

Background

Creating and implementing smoke-free multi-unit housing (SFMUH) policies can reduce second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure. Through TOUCH (a CDC CTG awardee in Broward County, Florida), community partners are working towards implementing SFMUH policies among multi-unit housing properties for low-income, culturally diverse seniors.  As part of the initiative, seniors were surveyed in order to understand their support for SFMUH.

Methods

807 senior residents in 24 low-income housing properties in South Florida were surveyed.  Questions included support for implementing indoor, common area, and outdoor SFMUH policies; current smoking behaviors; and exposure to SHS.  Multiple regression analysis was used to understand the role of race, ethnicity and current smoking behaviors on policy support.

Results

 The study sample was ethnically and racially diverse. Hispanics comprised more than 61% of the population, and 22% of the population identified as Black or other races. 9% of residents reported being current smokers, and over 29% of residents surveyed were exposed to SHS entering their units from elsewhere in their building.  Over 75% residents supported a smoke-free indoor policy; 77% supported a common area policy; and, 68% supported an outdoor area policy.  Blacks were two times more likely to support policies than whites (OR=2.01; 95%CI: 1.19-3.40) and Hispanics were two times more likely to support compared to non-Hispanics (OR=2.2; 95%CI: 1.15,4.24).   Smokers were 74% less likely to support SFMUH compared to non-smokers (OR=0.26; 95%CI: 0.14, 0.50) 

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that while senior residents of multi-unit housing properties overwhelmingly support SFMUH, support is mediated by race and ethnicity.