Support for smoke-free policies among smokers and non-smokers in six cities in China: ITC China Survey.
OBJECTIVE
To examine levels of support for comprehensive smoke-free policies in six large Chinese cities.


METHODS
Data from Wave 1 of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) China Survey (April-August 2006) were analysed. The ITC China Survey employed a multistage sampling design in Beijing, Shenyang, Shanghai, Changsha, Guangzhou and Yinchuan (none of which has comprehensive smoke-free policies in place). Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 4815 smokers and 1270 non-smokers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with support for comprehensive smoke-free policies.


RESULTS
About one in two Chinese urban smokers and four in five non-smokers believed that secondhand smoke (SHS) causes lung cancer. The majority of respondents supported comprehensive smoke-free policies in hospitals, schools and public transport vehicles while support for smoke-free workplaces, restaurants and bars was lower. Levels of support were generally comparable between smokers and non-smokers. Support for comprehensive smoke-free policies was positively associated with knowledge about the harm of SHS. Respondents who worked in a smoke-free worksite or who frequented smoke-free indoor entertainment places were more likely to support comprehensive smoking restriction in bars and restaurants.


CONCLUSIONS
Considerable support for smoke-free policies exists in these six large cities in China. Greater public education about the dangers of SHS may further increase support. Experiencing the benefits of smoke-free indoor entertainment places and/or workplaces increases support for these policies and suggests that some initial smoke-free policy implementation may hasten the diffusion of these public health policies.
Li
Q
Q
National Center for Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Nanwei Road, Beijing, P R China. Qangli33@yahoo.com
Hyland
A
A
O'Connor
R
R
Zhao
G
G
Du
L
L
Li
X
X
Fong
G T
GT
D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011640:Public Policy; D012147:Restaurants; D012574:Schools; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014186:Transportation; D017132:Workplace
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
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