BOSTON (AP) - A Massachusetts study suggests that restaurant smoking bans
may play a big role in persuading teens not to become smokers.
Youths who lived in towns with strict bans were 40 percent less likely to
become regular smokers than those in communities with no bans or weak ones, the
researchers reported in the May issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent
Medicine.
The findings back up the idea that smoking bans discourage tobacco use in
teens by sending the message that smoking is frowned upon in the community, as
well as simply by reducing their exposure to smokers in public places, said Dr.
Michael Siegel, of Boston University School of Public Health, and the study's
lead author.
"When kids grow up in an environment where they don't see smoking, they are
going to think it's not socially acceptable," he said. "If they perceive a lot
of other people are smoking, they think it's the norm."
Siegel and his colleagues tracked 2,791 children between ages 12 and 17 who
lived throughout Massachusetts. There were no statewide restrictions when the
study began in 2001 but about 100 cities and towns had enacted a hodgepodge of
laws restricting smoking in workplaces, bars or restaurants.
The teens were followed for four years to see how many tried smoking and how
many eventually became smokers.
Overall, about 9 percent became smokers -- defined as smoking more than 100
cigarettes.
In towns without bans or where smoking was restricted to a designated area,
that rate was nearly 10 percent. But in places with tough bans prohibiting
smoking in restaurants, just under 8 percent of the teens became smokers.
The study found that having a smoker as a parent or a close friend was a
factor in predicting whether children experiment with cigarettes. But strong
bans had a bigger influence on whether smoking grew into a habit, reducing their
chances of becoming smokers by 40 percent.
"There is really no other smoking intervention program that could cut almost
in half the rate of smoking," Siegel said.
Age was also a factor. Smoking bans had a greater effect on younger teens
than on older teens.
The researchers said it's not clear whether strong bans would have the same
effect in other states since local towns adopted their restrictions as part of
an aggressive anti-smoking campaign throughout the state.
A statewide workplace smoking ban that included restaurants went into effect
in mid-2004. Since then, high school smoking rates in Massachusetts have
continued to decline, from about 21 percent of students in 2005 to about 18
percent in 2007.
Many restaurant owners fought the ban, saying it could drive away diners,
according to Janine Harrod, director of government affairs for the Massachusetts
Restaurant Association, which represents 2,000 restaurant owners.
While some restaurants were hurt initially, the effects have eased over time
since the ban applies to everyone, she said.
Bill Phelps, a spokesman for Altria, parent company of cigarette-maker
Philip Morris USA, said the study shows that the reasons teens take up smoking
are complex.
"There is no single reason why young people engage in risky behaviors like
smoking," he said. "We believe that there should be a multifaceted approach to
address youth smoking."
At least 23 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require most
public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars, to be smoke free,
according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Another nine states ban smoking in workplaces but have various exemptions
for restaurants or bars.
"We already have more than enough evidence why we should pass these
smoke-free laws, but certainly this study should help push them along," said
Danny McGoldick of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
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