Support for smoke-free policies: a nationwide analysis of immigrants, US-born, and other demographic groups, 1995-2002.
OBJECTIVE
We examined whether support for tobacco control policies varies by demographic group, including nativity status (i.e., immigrant versus US born).


METHODS
We analyzed 1995 to 2002 data from the Current Population Survey Tobacco Use Supplement (n=543,951). The outcome was a summary attitudinal measure assessing support of smoking bans in 4 of 6 venues.


RESULTS
US-born respondents, smokers, male respondents, Native Americans, Whites, and those who were unmarried, of lower socioeconomic status, and whose workplaces and homes were not smoke free were less likely to support smoking bans. Immigrants exhibited stronger support for banning smoking in every venue, with a generation-specific gradient in which support eroded with increasing assimilation to the United States. Levels of support were more than twice as high among immigrants as among US-born respondents (odds ratio [OR]=2.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.08, 2.23). Naturalized citizens displayed higher support than US-born citizens, which may be relevant for mobilization of the electorate. Differences in population composition and contexts (e.g., smoke-free workplaces) only partially accounted for immigrants' stronger level of support.


CONCLUSIONS
Immigrants and their children may be valuable tobacco control allies given their supportive attitudes toward smoke-free policies.
Osypuk
Theresa L
TL
Northeastern University, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, 316 Robinson Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA. t.osypuk@neu.edu
Acevedo-Garcia
Dolores
D
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011050:Policy Making; D011639:Public Opinion; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution