Attitudes Toward Smoke-Free Casino Policies Among US Adults, 2017. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tynan, Michael A.; Wang, Teresa W.; Marynak, Kristy L.; Lemos, Pamela; Babb, Stephen D.
• Is Part Of: Public health reports. Volume 134:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 240
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: secondhand smoke -- smoking -- tobacco -- public attitudes -- policy; Public health -- United States -- Periodicals; 614.0973
• DOI: 10.1177/0033354919834581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3549

Abstract

Research shows that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and that eliminating smoking indoors fully protects nonsmokers from indoor SHS exposure. Casinos often allow smoking indoors and can be a source of involuntary SHS exposure for employees and visitors. We examined attitudes toward smoke-free casino policies among US adults. During June and July 2017, we used a web-based survey to ask a nationally representative sample of 4107 adults aged ≥18 about their attitudes toward smoke-free casinos. Among 4048 respondents aged ≥18, a weighted 75.0% favored smoke-free casino policies, including respondents who visited casinos about once per year (74.1%), several times per year (75.3%), and at least once per month (74.2%). Although the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents who favored smoke-free casino policies varied, the majority in each group, except current smokers (45.4%), supported smoke-free policies. Allowing smoking inside casinos involuntarily exposes casino employees and visitors to SHS, a known and preventable health risk. Further assessment of public knowledge and attitudes toward smoke-free casinos at state and local levels may help inform tobacco control policy, planning, and practice.