Appleton Smoking Ordinance: Changes in Public Acceptance for Smoke-Free Bars

1. Results Methods Appleton Smoking Ordinance: Changes in Public Acceptance for Smoke-Free Bars Daphne Kuo, PhD1, Karen A. Palmersheim, PhD1, and Randall L. Glysch, MS2 Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services Conclusion Estimated probability of supporting Appleton ordinance by smoking status and year of study Introduction (1) Preference for smoke-free bars/taverns (2) Bars/taverns should be smoke-free • The preference for smoke-free bars or taverns did not change. (fig 1) • A significant increase in support for smoke-free bars/taverns was observed in 2007. (fig 2) • The majority of residents supported the overall ban on smoking. (fig 3) • Education, smoking status, and home restrictions on smoking were important to explain attitudes and changes. • Since 2005, there was no change in patronage behaviors of local bars/taverns for bar-goers, except smokers or those from smoke-free homes. • The current smoking bar-goers were 78% less likely to go to local bars/taverns than never smokers in 2006 and 98% less likely in 2007. (fig 4). • Bar-goers from smoke-free home were 63% more likely to go to local bars than others. Background On July 1, 2005, the city of Appleton became the 3rd Wisconsin community to implement an ordinance banning smoking in all public places, including bars and restaurants. Two referenda to appeal the restrictions were subsequently defeated in April and November, 2006. (3) Overall support for the ordinance (4) Patronage of local bars/taverns for bar-goers Objective • To examine changes in public preferences, acceptance, and bar patronage behaviors related to the smoke-free ordinance over a 20-month period. • To analyze the relationship between smoking status, socioeconomic background and changes in attitudes and behaviors. Affiliation Information • Tobacco Surveillance and Evaluation Program, University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center • Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Department of Health and Family Services • This research was supported by the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, Bureau of Community Health Promotion, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Data: Appleton Population Study • Q1: When making the decision to go to a bar or tavern, do you prefer an establishment that is 100% smoke free, that allows smoking in some areas, or that allows smoking anywhere, or not have a preference? • Q2: In bars or taverns, do you think that smoking should be allowed in all areas, some areas, or not allowed at all? • O3: Overall, how do you feel about the prohibition (banning) of smoking within bars, taverns and restaurants in the City of Appleton? Do you… (strongly/somewhat support it, somewhat/strongly oppose it) • Q4: When you go to a bar or tavern, is it usually in the City of Appleton, or somewhere outside…? • Independent and control variables included smoking status (current and past), year of study, college education, smoke-free home, heavy drinker, age, gender, and marital status. • Multivariate regression analysis. The reference group was unmarried, non-heavy drinker and age 35-54 male who had less than 50K family income, did not go to college, and did not live in a smoke-free home. Smoking status and smoke-free home were only factors which consistently predicted both attitudes and behaviors. • A random sample of 400 Appleton adult residents in each wave. • Telephone interview. • 3 waves: June 2005, February 2006, and February 2007. • 17%-20% current smokers. Contact Information Daphne Kuo, Ph.D. Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Wisconsin-Madison dkuo@ssc.wisc.edu