Acceptability and impact of a partial smoking ban followed by a total smoking ban in a psychiatric hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a partial smoking ban followed by a total smoking ban in a psychiatric hospital in Switzerland.


METHODS
In 2003, smoking was allowed everywhere in psychiatric units. In 2004, smoking was prohibited everywhere except in smoking rooms. In 2006, smoking rooms were removed and smoking was totally prohibited indoors. Patients and staff were surveyed in 2003 (n=106), 2004 (n=108), 2005 (n=119) and 2006 (n=134).


RESULTS
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) decreased after the partial ban and further decreased after the total ban. Among patients, after the total ban, more smokers attempted to quit smoking (18%) relative to before the total ban (2%, odds ratio=10.1, p=0.01). More smokers said that hospital staff gave them nicotine replacement products after the total ban (52%), compared with before (13%, odds ratio=7.6, p<0.001). Many participants (55%) commented that the total ban was too strict, and most (64%) preferred the partial ban.


CONCLUSIONS
The partial ban decreased exposure to ETS and the total ban further improved the situation and increased the proportion of smokers who attempted to quit smoking and received nicotine medications. The total ban was loosely enforced and was overall acceptable, but most participants preferred a partial ban.
Etter
Manuela
M
Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
Khan
Aqal Nawaz
AN
Etter
Jean-François
JF
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D040241:Social Marketing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland