title: Public opinion and smoke-free laws.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rayens
authors.forename: Ellen J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hedgecock
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greathouse-Maggio
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution