Secondhand Smoke in Geneva, 1996–2006: Changes in Exposure, Opinions, and Workplace Smoking Bans in the Absence of National Legislation

Abstract

Postal surveys were conducted in 1996 and 2006 to assess change in duration of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS), frequency of smoking bans at the workplace, and opinions on smokefree measures in Geneva, Switzerland in the absence of national smokefree legislation. A random sample of 742 participants in 1996 and 1487 in 2006 showed length of exposure to SHS decreased from 7 hours/week to 4 hours/week, with the largest decrease among 26–45 year olds. Workplace smoking bans increased from 33.4% to 66.3% (p<0.001). Agreement that SHS is dangerous to health increased from 77.5% to 86.0% (p=0.006). Agreement that all restaurant tables should be reserved to non-smokers also increased, from 14.8% to 41.4% (p<0.001). Opinions were more favorable to all smokefree measures in 2006 than in 1996, except, "More information should be given on the health dangers of SHS," suggesting a level of saturation was reached for information on SHS.

Keywords:

• SECOND HAND SMOKE
• ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE
• SMOKING
• COMMUNITY SURVEYS
• SWITZERLAND