Community knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about environmental tobacco smoke in homes and cars
Jeff Dunn, Susan Greenbank, Michelle McDowell, Catherine Mahoney, Paul Mazerolle, Stefano Occhipinti and Suzanne Steginga

Abstract

Objective: to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in cars and homes in Queensland.

Methods: 1,026 randomly selected Queensland residents (84% response) participated in a computer assisted telephone survey to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about ETS in cars and homes; and attitudes towards restrictions on smoking in a range of contexts.

Results: Most respondents are aware of the negative health effects of ETS and have smoking bans in their cars (75.8%) and homes (76.8%), however bans are less prevalent for smokers (cars: 37.9%; homes: 51%; p=0.000). For cars/homes, most smokers who did not have smoking bans would not smoke at all around pregnant women (67.7%/53.7%); fewer would refrain for children ≤12 years (48.2%/35.1%); non-smoking adults (31.3%/17.9%); and children 13-17 years (30.9%/21.2%). Parent smokers are less likely to not smoke at all around children ≥2years (p=0.000) compared to non-parent smokers. Most respondents support car/home smoking bans for children ≤12 years (80.5%/66.1%); children 13-17 years (78.2%/64.7%); and pregnant women (80.5%/67%).

Conclusions: There is strong community support for legislation targeting ETS in cars and homes, however this varies by context, smoking and parental status.

Key words: ETS, passive smoking, legislation, policy, attitudes, behaviour

So what?

Multi-level interventions including legislative change, community education, and evidence based interventions for parent smokers are needed to reduce ETS in private settings.

Health Promotion Journal of Australia 2008; 19:113-17