Potential for smoke-free policies in social venues to prevent smoking uptake and reduce relapse: a qualitative study.
The purpose of this article is to better understand the utility of smoking in pubs/bars and nightclubs and explore perceptions of how smoke-free policies might influence smoking behavior. Qualitative focus group methodology was used involving young social smokers and older regular smokers. Pubs/bars and nightclubs were valued as the few remaining indoor public places where people could relax and smoke. These venues were perceived to provide encouragement for smoking more cigarettes by increasing smoking rate and facilitating smoking relapse. For young social smokers, smoking provided an opportunity to be part of a "cool" in-group. Older regular smokers felt pubs/bars provided strong cues for smoking relapse. Smokers felt they would adapt to smoke-free policies and expected these policies to reduce their smoking or assist quitting. Smoke-free policies in pubs/bars and nightclubs may assist smokers to quit and make it less likely that young social smokers will progress to regular smoking.
Wakefield
Melanie
M
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, The Cancer Council Victoria, Victoria, Australia.
Cameron
Melissa
M
Murphy
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011640:Public Policy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011998:Recreation; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012919:Social Behavior; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution