Public support for smoke-free areas in Israel: A case for action

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• 作者：Laura J. Rosen^a ; ^{rosenl@post.tau.ac.il} ; David A. Rier^b ; ^{David.Rier@biu.ac.il} ; Robert Schwartz^c ; ^{Robert.Schwartz@utoronto.ca} ; Anat Oren^d ; ^{anatoren@post.tau.ac.il} ; Anna Kopel^a ; Alexandra Gevman^a ; Mitch Zeller^e ; ^{mzeller@pinneyassociates.com} ; Gregory Connolly^f ; ^{gconnoll@hsph.harvard.edu}
• 关键词：Secondhand smoke exposure (SHS ; SHSe) ; Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) ; Tobacco control ; Public opinion ; Health policy
• 刊名：Health Policy
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：110_01688510
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：July, 2012
• 卷：106
• 期：2
• 页码：161-168
• 文件大小：337 K

摘要

Objective

Secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) harms adults and children. Though most governments are obliged by international health treaty to protect nonsmokers from SHSe, few adequately do so. Public opinion can provide a powerful mandate for smoke-free policies, but a representative public voice is often absent from the political discussion. For example, following Cabinet approval of a national tobacco control plan, Israel remains embroiled in stormy debate about smoke-free legislation. This debate has unfolded without benefit of current empirical evidence on nationwide public support. The present study reports and assesses public opinion regarding smoke-free places.

Methods

A nationally representative survey (n = 505) was conducted in December, 2010. The response rate was 61%.

Results

Public opinion supports smoke-free air in many places. There was broad consensus among current, former, and never-smokers for smoke-free cars carrying children (94.4%), and smoke-free healthcare facility entrances (92.6%). A clear majority (67.0%) supportedcompletely smoke-free bars and pubs. Nearly half (47.3%) supported eliminating school staff smoking rooms.

Conclusions

These data strengthen the case for the recent government-approved tobacco control plan. Valid data regarding public opinion on tobacco control can facilitate passage and implementation of smoke-free legislation, thus speeding transition to smoke-free societies.