American Journal of Public Health, Vol 91, Issue 2 300-303, Copyright © 2001 by American Public Health Association
Support for smoke-free restaurants among Massachusetts adults, 1992-1999
DR Brooks and LA Mucci
Bureau of Health Statistics, Research and Evaluation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108-4619, USA. daniel.brooks@state.ma.us
OBJECTIVES: The authors examined trends and predictors of public support
for smoke-free restaurants in Massachusetts. METHODS: Since 1992, the
Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System has asked survey
respondents about their attitudes toward smoking in restaurants. Analyses
using data from 1992 to 1999 characterized changes over time in support for
smoke-free restaurants and the role of demographic and smoking-related
factors in predicting support. RESULTS: During 1992 to 1999, the rate of
support for smoke-free restaurants increased from 37.5% to 59.8%, with
similar increases among current, former, and never smokers. After
adjustment for smoking status, support was associated with socioeconomic
characteristics, race/ethnicity, and household smoking rules. Among current
smokers, lighter smokers and those who were trying to quit were more likely
to endorse smoke-free restaurants. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a
substantial increase in support for smoke-free restaurants among both
smokers and nonsmokers in Massachusetts.