Testing effects of awareness of statewide smoke-free air law and risk perception on smoking behaviors

Young Ju Shin, Nicole L. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: To reduce the smoking rates and alleviate societal problems associated with smoking, health administrators and policy makers have attempted to promote and implement statewide smoking free policy. The present study examined how adults' awareness of and attitude toward the smoke-free air law, their perceived risks of secondhand smoke and current smoking status were associated with smoking attitude and behaviors. Design/methodology/approach: As part of the Indiana Adult Tobacco Survey, 2,027 respondents participated in cross-sectional telephone surveys. A series of independent sample t-test and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Findings: Awareness of the state law was inversely related to negative attitude toward smoking behaviors. Individuals who reported favorable attitude toward the state smoke-free air law and higher risk perceptions of secondhand smoke showed negative attitude toward smoking behaviors. Non-smokers and former smokers were significantly different from current smokers with regard to attitude toward smoking. Negative attitude was significantly related to intention to quit smoking. Awareness of the state law, perceived risk and current smoking status were key determinants for anti-smoking attitude and behavior. Originality/value: Findings highlight the importance of effective dissemination of the state law and recommend a strategic intervention design that invokes risk perceptions of secondhand smoke.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)189-199
Number of pages11
JournalHealth Education
Volume121
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2021

Keywords

  • Policy awareness
  • Risk perception
  • Smoke-free air law
  • Tobacco control
  • Transtheoretical model

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Testing effects of awareness of statewide smoke-free air law and risk perception on smoking behaviors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this