title: Public support for smoke-free policies in Jordan, a high tobacco burden country with weak implementation of policies: Status, opportunities, and challenges.
abstract: Several Eastern Mediterranean (EM) countries, including Jordan, suffer from high smoking prevalence but weak implementation of smoking bans (SB). Public support (PS) influences successful implementation of SB, but little is known about PS for SB in EM countries with weak SB implementation. We conducted a cross-sectional survey measuring knowledge and perceptions of a large purposive sample of the Jordanian public regarding tobacco harms and anti-tobacco laws. Among 1169 respondents, 46% of whom used tobacco, PS for SB varied from 98% to 39% based on venue, being highest for health facilities and lowest for coffee shops. In venues with relatively lower PS (restaurants, coffee shops), lower educational groups, older age groups, nonsmokers, and those who had more knowledge regarding tobacco and secondhand smoke harms were significantly more likely to support SB than the highest educational group, the youngest age group, smokers, and those who had less knowledge (respectively). Our results suggest that aggressive promotion of SB is needed in countries like Jordan (where smoking is increasing), tailored to venue and specific sociodemographic characteristics of the public accessing these venues, particularly restaurants and coffee shops. Multifaceted health messages that enhance public knowledge can be of benefit in improving PS for SB.
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Control Office , King Hussein Cancer Center , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Nour A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Obeidat
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Control Office , King Hussein Cancer Center , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Hiba S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ayub
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Control Office , King Hussein Cancer Center , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Rasha K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Bader
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Control Office , King Hussein Cancer Center , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Aisha S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Shtaiwi
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Control Office , King Hussein Cancer Center , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Rawan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Shihab
authors.affiliation: b Awareness and Communication Health Directorate , Ministry of Health , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Malek A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Habashneh
authors.affiliation: a Cancer Control Office , King Hussein Cancer Center , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Feras I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Hawari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006280:Health Workforce; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
keywords: Jordan; Public support; policies; smoke-free; smoking ban