Implementation of a smoke-free policy in subsidized multiunit housing: effects on smoking cessation and secondhand smoke exposure.
BACKGROUND
We studied the impact of implementing a comprehensive smoke-free policy in multiunit housing in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Among low-income tenants living in a subset of subsidized multiunit buildings, we evaluated cessation-related behaviors, policy knowledge and compliance, and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure.


METHODS
We mailed a self-administered questionnaire to a random sample of 839 current tenants of 17 subsidized buildings 4 months after policy implementation in January 2008 and sent another questionnaire to participants 1 year later. Results are based on 440 tenants who completed both surveys.


RESULTS
We observed a self-reported annualized quit rate of 14.7% over the study period (95% CI = 7.9%-21.6%) compared with a historical quit rate in this population of 2.6% (95% CI = 0.6%-4.5%). Almost half of ongoing smokers reduced their cigarette consumption. More smokers correctly reported policy rules for indoor settings than for outdoor settings; self-reported indoor smoking decreased significantly from 59% to 17%. Among nonsmokers, frequent indoor SHS exposure (multiple times per week) decreased significantly from 41% prepolicy to 17% postpolicy.


CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of a smoke-free policy was associated with positive changes in cessation-related behaviors and reduced SHS exposure in this population of low-income adults.
Program Design and Evaluation Services, 827 NE Oregon Street., Ste. 250, Portland, OR 97232, USA. barbara.a.pizacani@state.or.us
Barbara A
BA
Pizacani
Julie E
JE
Maher
Kristen
K
Rohde
Linda
L
Drach
Michael J
MJ
Stark
D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009922:Oregon; D011638:Public Housing; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution