328498
Opinions of Hispanic Residents of Multiunit Housing on Smoking Policies
□ Background
In California, Hispanics are more likely to be exposed to secondhand and thirdhand smoke (SHS, THS) than white non-Hispanic apartment residents. The study assesses baseline knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to avoiding exposure, before testing a culturally appropriate educational tool. Results inform future health education and policy efforts.
□ Methods
Apartment buildings were randomly selected within predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Adult Hispanic residents completed a baseline survey in either English or Spanish about SHS and THS (n = 403).
□ Results
Most households had personal bans against smoking inside their homes (97%) but many continue to be exposed to SHS and THS from outside their apartments, with one-third (36.5%) reporting no rules against smoking in common areas of their buildings and one third bothered by THS in their homes. Almost all (85.7%) favored a rule that bans smoking in all areas. Many participants were also concerned about exposure to marijuana side stream smoke. However, most felt they cannot control other people’s actions (84.7%) and 68% so not want “to make trouble in my building.” One quarter worried about being evicted if they complain. English-language respondents had more positive attitudes than Spanish-language respondents towards protecting themselves against SHS (p < 0.05).
□ Conclusions
Broad smoking policies need to be implemented and respondents need help understanding their rights and strategies to create smoke free buildings.
Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programsPublic health or related public policy
Learning Objectives:
Identify the necessary actions to help multi-unit housing residents protect themselves against SHS and THS from tobacco and marijuana.
Keyword(s): Tobacco Use, Behavioral Research
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a fellow working as a research assistant in this project. I am in charge of conducting the statistical analysis and collaborating in the research process with the research team. My mentors are the primary investigators in the grant.
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.