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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jessie Brosseau, MPH, Vermont Department of Health, 108 Cherry Street, P.O. Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402, 802-951-4067, jbrosse@vdh.state.vt.us

In 2005, Vermont strengthened its Clean Indoor Act to include prohibiting smoking in bars. Previously, five towns in Chittenden County (CC) passed local regulations banning smoking in bars. Beginning in 2003, the Vermont Adult Tobacco Survey included a question to assess views on whether smoking in bars should be allowed. Given changes in policy and increased debate of this topic, the Tobacco Program wanted to investigate changing opinions on smoking in bars over time and among subgroups. The proportion of Vermont adults who thought smoking should be prohibited in bars increased each year; 44.9%, 50.6%, and 53.2% respectively. This was also true by gender; females were more in favor and their rate increased more quickly than males. Adults 65 and older were most in favor of banning smoking in bars; 18-24 year olds had the largest percent change from 2003 (32.5%) to 2005 (48.4%). Current smokers who felt smoking should be banned in bars increased 64.1% to 21.5% in 2005. Household incomes of less than $20,000 were least in favor; the proportion has decreased over time. After increases among both CC and other Vermont counties from 2003 to 2004, only CC residents reported an increase in the view that smoking should be banned in bars in 2005 (46.8% to 61.7%). In conclusion, Vermont has had success in gaining support for the perspective that smoking should not be allowed in bars, with some groups making better progress than others. Work continues and support will hopefully continue to increase as time passes.

Learning Objectives: