New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Bans don't help smokers quit, researchers say

Date:
March 3, 2015
Source:
Concordia University
Summary:
No significant change in home habits of smokers have been observed in the aftermath of a ban on smoking in public spaces, researchers report. Greater inspiration to kick the habit likely comes from having friends or family who set an example by giving up cigarettes themselves, the authors write.
Share:
FULL STORY

Smokers have become accustomed to stepping outside at bars and restaurants. But has the change in rules governing enclosed public places inspired enough of them to smoke less behind their own closed doors or maybe even quit altogether?

These questions were posed in research recently published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, in which a team that included Sylvia Kairouz of Concordia University found no significant change in home habits in the aftermath of a ban. But the measures could have an impact in more complex ways.

"What distinguishes people who restrict smoking at home is the presence of a non-smoker," says Kairouz, an associate professor in Concordia's Department of Sociology and Anthropology. "The social network seems to be more of a factor than the law."

With advance knowledge of a smoking ban in Quebec, Canada that took effect in May 2006, researchers were able to collect data from a representative cross-section of the population a month ahead of time. They then followed up a year and a half later.

Naturally, growing awareness of the health impact of secondhand smoke contributed to the stricter laws, although a number of those who kept puffing at home claimed to be trying to reduce nicotine exposure to others, even if those strategies for quitting are generally futile.

"The popular belief is that opening windows or doors to blow out smoke makes it OK, when that's not the case," Kairouz says. "People might be sensitive to the issues, but there was a lack of information about how the effects of second-hand smoke are transmitted."

Greater inspiration to kick the habit likely comes from having friends or family who set an example by giving up cigarettes themselves. But trends over the past decade suggest a much broader range of factors have reduced the number of nicotine addicts beyond simply forcing smokers to huddle outdoors more often.

"There needs to be an integrated approach of ecological measures along with taxation, prevention and information," Kairouz says. "But one of the most important components is to have public health services available for people who are trying to quit."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Concordia University. Original written by Marc Weisblott. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. S. Kairouz, B. Lasnier, T. Mihaylova, A. Montreuil, J. E. Cohen. Smoking Restrictions in Homes After Implementation of a Smoking Ban in Public Places. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2014; 17 (1): 41 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntu125

Cite This Page:

Concordia University. "Bans don't help smokers quit, researchers say." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 March 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150303131108.htm>.
Concordia University. (2015, March 3). Bans don't help smokers quit, researchers say. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150303131108.htm
Concordia University. "Bans don't help smokers quit, researchers say." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150303131108.htm (accessed March 19, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES