Factors influencing implementation of the legislated smoking ban on school property in Ontario.
BACKGROUND
Implementation of legislation in Ontario, Canada, that banned smoking on school property gave rise to perceptions of problems in some schools. A telephone survey was conducted to assess these problems. This analysis identifies risk or protective factors in the school environment associated with administrators' reports of problems.


METHODS
Survey data were obtained from key informants in 213 high schools. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify school-related characteristics associated with: (1) major problems in implementing the ban and (2) recommendations that schools return to designated smoking areas.


RESULTS
A protective factor against both outcomes was having a school no-smoking policy prior to the ban. Also protective against major problems was a perceived decrease in student smoking during the school day. The identification of safety risks to students who leave school property to smoke was a strong risk factor for both outcomes. Beliefs that the ban was not effective and opposition to it from teachers/staff were associated with desires for its repeal.


CONCLUSIONS
In implementing legislated school smoking bans, attention should be given to informing teachers and gaining their support. Strategies for dealing with potential safety risks to students who leave school property to smoke should also be devised.
Pickett
W
W
Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada. pickettw@post.queensu.ca
Northrup
D A
DA
Ashley
M J
MJ
D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003625:Data Collection; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009864:Ontario; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012574:Schools / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012926:Social Control, Formal / Q000379:methods; D013663:Teaching