Public opinion and smoke-free laws.
Public support for Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky's smoke-free law, perception of health risks from exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), smoking behaviors, and frequency of visiting restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues were assessed pre- and post-law. Two cohorts of noninstitutionalized adults (N = 2,146) were randomly selected and invited to participate in a 10- to 15-min telephone survey. Public support for the smoke-free law increased from 56% to 63%, and respondents were 1.3 times more likely to perceive SHS exposure as a health risk after the law took effect. Although adult smoking and home smoking policy did not change post-law, adults frequented public venues at least as much as before the law. Lexington adults favored the smoke-free legislation despite living in a traditionally protobacco climate. The smoke-free law acted as a public health intervention as it increased perception of risk of heart disease and cancer from SHS exposure.
Rayens
Mary Kay
MK
College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
Hahn
Ellen J
EJ
Langley
Ronald E
RE
Hedgecock
Susan
S
Butler
Karen M
KM
Greathouse-Maggio
Lisa
L
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011633:Public Facilities; D011639:Public Opinion; D012147:Restaurants; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution