Learning Objectives: Describe the components of the Smoke-Free Paso del Norte initiative. State the knowledge & attitudes of adults related to the smoke-free ordinance. Describe the associated patterns of tobacco use & intent to use restaurants, bars & bowling alleys.
Abstract: Objective: To examine the tobacco use behaviors, knowledge & attitudes of adults toward a the El Paso clean indoor air ordinance, & behavioral intent related to frequenting restaurants, bowling alleys & bars after passage of the ordinance.
METHODS: Instrument: Items related to basic demographics, information regarding personal tobacco use behaviors, knowledge of the city ordinance, attitudes toward the ordinance & environmental tobacco smoke, and intent were used. Respondents, Data Collection and Analysis: The City of El Paso was the sampling frame, using a truncated, list-assisted sample design with the household as the primary sampling unit. 2008 individuals were surveyed in English or Spanish. The data were weighted appropriately.
RESULTS: Most restaurants, bars, places of entertainment & workplaces are now smoke-free. Current adult smoking rates have declined from 22.8% in 1998 to 17.3%. 78% of the population supports the ordinance. 87.9% knew that there was an ordinance, but only between 40% and 70% knew that smoking would be prohibited in restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. Over 90% of respondents felt that the ordinance would protect both employees & customers from secondhand smoke. There is a net increase in the intended use of restaurants and bowling alleys as a result of the ordinance, and nearly no change in the intent to frequent bars.
Discussion: There is a need for continuing awareness education in the community. Support for the clean indoor air ordinance is very high and it does not appear that it will have an overall negative impact on the economy.
*This research was supported by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation
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