title: Time since smoke-free law and smoking cessation behaviors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the association between time since implementation of a smoke-free law and cessation behaviors among current and former smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasiexperimental, three-group design assessed smoking and cessation behaviors via brief telephone interviews with 295 randomly selected current and former smokers who had quit since a smoke-free law took effect in their community. Participants lived in one of four communities that had implemented a smoke-free law in the preceding 6-8 months (n = 106), 18 months (n = 87), or 36 months (n = 102).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with those living in communities with relatively new smoke-free laws (6-8 months), those in communities with more established laws (18 and 36 months) were more likely to (a) be former smokers and (b) report a longer time since smoking their last cigarette. Compared with the 6- to 8-month group, those in the 36-month group were more likely to have tried to quit since the law was implemented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoke-free laws may have a delayed effect on cessation among adults. The longer a smoke-free law is in effect, the more likely adults will attempt to quit smoking and become former smokers. Maintaining the integrity of smoke-free laws over time is an important population-based quit strategy.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky College of Nursing, 751 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, USA. ejhahn00@email.uky.edu
authors.forename: Ellen J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Mary Kay
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Rayens
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darville
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dignan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D055815:Young Adult