Secondhand smoke in Geneva, 1996-2006: changes in exposure, opinions, and workplace smoking bans in the absence of national legislation.
Postal surveys were conducted in 1996 and 2006 to assess change in duration of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS), frequency of smoking bans at the workplace, and opinions on smokefree measures in Geneva, Switzerland in the absence of national smoke-free legislation. A random sample of 742 participants in 1996 and 1487 in 2006 showed length of exposure to SHS decreased from 7 hours/week to 4 hours/week, with the largest decrease among 26-45 year olds. Workplace smoking bans increased from 33.4% to 66.3% (p < 0.001). Agreement that SHS is dangerous to health increased from 77.5% to 86.0% (p = 0.006). Agreement that all restaurant tables should be reserved to nonsmokers also increased, from 14.8% to 41.4% (p < 0.001). Opinions were more favorable to all smoke-free measures in 2006 than in 1996, except, "More information should be given on the health dangers of SHS," suggesting a level of saturation was reached for information on SHS.
Etter
Jean Francois
JF
Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland. Jean-Francois.Etter@unige.ch
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D013557:Switzerland; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution