Findings You Can Use

Andersen, P. A., Buller, D. B., et al. (2006). Predictors of support for environmental tobacco smoke bans in state government. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 30(4), 292-299.

[Link to full article - (101 KB)]

Abstract:Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a major threat to public health, associated with a number of serious diseases, and a leading cause of death. Previous research demonstrates that enactment of government policies mandating clean indoor air is effective in creating more smoke-free public places and decreasing the incidence of smoking. Both researchers and community activists have an interest in understanding the factors that predict support for the regulation of ETS. Methods: This study examined predictors of support for regulating ETS by surveying 684 city and county public officials in Colorado who were interviewed by phone and mail (response rate 61%). Results: Thirty-five percent of public officials reported that it is a "serious" or "very serious" problem that nonsmokers breathe in other people's cigarette smoke, 21% were "neutral," and 42% said that it was "not serious" or "not serious at all." Results indicated that support for policies to control ETS and promote clean indoor air is significantly more prevalent among public officials who: (1) believe that tobacco use is a serious problem in their community, (2) believe that breathing environmental tobacco smoke is a serious problem for nonsmokers, (3) believe that city and county government should get involved with people's decisions about smoking, (4) support smoking-cessation programs for public employees, and (5) have smoked less than 100 cigarettes during their lifetime. Conclusions: Both the harms of ETS and legislation to create smoke-free environments remain controversial among local officials. Smoke-free advocates should support officials who believe that ETS is a problem and persuade officials on the harms of ETS and the need for government intervention.

Major Findings

• Secondhand smoke remained a controversial issue as only 35% of public officials found it to be a serious problem in their community, 42% said it's not serious and 21% were neutral.
• Several factors predicted support for indoor smoking bans among public officials:
• 1) Belief that secondhand smoke is a serious problem for nonsmokers (raised the odds for support 4 times).
• 2) Belief that government should get involved with people’s smoking decisions (raised the odds for support 3 times).
• 3) Support for smoking cessation services for public employees (raised the odds for support 3 times).
• 4) Belief that tobacco use is a serious problem (raised the odds for support twice).
• 5) Previous enactment of smoke-free ordinances for indoor public places (raised the odds for support twice).
• 6) Having smoked less than 100 cigarettes in a lifetime (raised the odds for support twice).