Smokefree home rules adoption by smokers and nonsmokers: Minnesota, 1999-2010.
BACKGROUND
Smokefree workplace policies have successfully limited indoor exposure to secondhand smoke. However, exposure still exists in other indoor locations, most notably in the home.


OBJECTIVE
This paper examines change in the public's awareness of secondhand smoke harm, exposure to secondhand smoke, and prevalence of smokefree home rules between 1999 and 2010 in Minnesota.


METHODS
The Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey is a statewide, cross-sectional, random-digit-dial telephone-based survey. The survey measures tobacco use, behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs among adults aged 18 and older in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2010. Analysis was conducted in 2011.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in self-reported exposure to secondhand smoke among all nonsmokers in Minnesota from 2003 (60.9%) to 2010 (37.7%) (p<0.05). The prevalence of smokefree home rules adoption among all Minnesotans increased significantly between each time point: 1999 (64.5%); 2003 (74.8%); 2007 (83.2%); 2010 (87.2%) (p<0.05). Although smokers tended to adopt smokefree home rules at rates lower than nonsmokers, the percentage of smokefree home rules among smokers nearly doubled between 1999 (31.4%) and 2010 (58.1%) (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Over 10 years, Minnesotans reported a significant decline in exposure to secondhand smoke and a significant increase in voluntary smokefree home rules. Such a trend is notable as virtually all public tobacco control efforts were aimed at raising awareness and support for smokefree policies within workplaces. These findings demonstrate positive changes in social norms and suggest that behavior change in public settings might also be translated into practice in private settings.
ClearWay Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55425, USA. astclaire@clearwaymn.org
Ann W
AW
St Claire
Raymond G
RG
Boyle
Barbara A
BA
Schillo
Peter
P
Rode
Kristie A
KA
Taylor
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013997:Time Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution