The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54754

Michael Siegel, MD, MPH¹, Alison B. Albers, PhD¹, and Margie R. Skeer, MSW². (1) Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, TW2, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-5167, mbsiegel@bu.edu, (2) School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany St., T2W, Boston, MA 02118

Objectives: To examine the impact of local restaurant and bar regulations on (1) adult exposure to secondhand smoke in restaurants and bars, and (2) social norms and attitudes related to cigarette smoking at the town-level. Methods: Data were from a random-digit-dial telephone survey of a random sample of Massachusetts households with telephones between January 1, 2001 and June 15, 2002 (n = 6,674). Results: Compared with the weak category, the odds ratio for non-exposure in restaurants associated with a medium regulation was 1.66 (95% CI, 1.33, 2.08) and with a strong regulation was 2.74 (95% CI, 1.96, 3.83), adjusted for individual and town-level characteristics. Adults living in a town with a strong regulation were 7 times more likely not to be exposed to ETS in bars and nightclubs (OR 7.79; 95% CI, 4.79, 12.67). Adults living in a town with a strong restaurant regulation were 1.5 times (95% CI, 1.15, 2.04) more likely to have the correct perception of smoking prevalence in their town, while those in towns with a mid-level regulation had no effect on perceived smoking prevalence. A similar pattern was found for bars; those living in a town with a strong bar regulation were 1.4 times more likely to perceive the correct smoking prevalence (95% CI, 1.02, 1.88). Conclusion: Strong clean indoor air regulations at the local level make a substantial difference in reducing exposure to ETS in restaurants and bars, as well as have a significant impact on adults’ perception of smoking prevalence in their town.

Learning Objectives:

• Introduce research methods used to assess the effect of local clean indoor air regulations on adult exposure to secondhand smoke and social norms related to smoking.
• Describe an analytical framework for explaining the potential effect of restaurant and bar regulations on exposure and attitudes among adults.
• Review specific effects of local restaurant and bar regulations in Massachusetts on adult exposure to secondhand smoke and social norms regarding smoking using a state representative sample.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Tobacco Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.