title: Do smoke-free laws in rural, distressed counties encourage cessation?
abstract: The authors examined the association between smoke-free laws and smoking/cessation behaviors and secondhand smoke exposure among current and former smokers in rural, distressed counties. A quasi-experimental, two-group design compared outcomes between participants from a county with a longstanding smoke-free law (n = 252) and those living in four demographically similar counties without smoke-free laws ( n = 250). Participants were recruited using random digit dialing. Controlling for demographic factors, those in the treatment group reported greater nicotine dependence, were more likely to have smoke-free workplaces, and less likely to have smoke-free homes. There were no differences in smoking status, past-year quit attempts, intent to quit in 5 years, cigarettes per day, or time since last cigarette. Smokers in the treatment group were just as likely to attempt to quit, despite greater nicotine dependence. Findings showed that making nonsmoking the social norm through policy change may be more difficult in rural, distressed areas.
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Policy Research Program, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, 751 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, 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: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Adkins
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; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult