Community knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about environmental tobacco smoke in homes and cars

Health Promot J Austr. 2008 Aug;19(2):113-7. doi: 10.1071/he08113.

Abstract

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

Method: 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<or=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>or=2 years (p=0.000) compared to non-parent smokers. Most respondents support car/ home smoking bans for children<or=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.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Automobiles
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parents
  • Pregnancy
  • Queensland
  • Smoking*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution