TY - JOUR
T1 - Medium-term effects of Italian smoke-free legislation
T2 - Findings from four annual population-based surveys
AU - Tramacere, I.
AU - Gallus, S.
AU - Fernandez, E.
AU - Zuccaro, P.
AU - Colombo, P.
AU - La Vecchia, C.
PY - 2009/7
Y1 - 2009/7
N2 - Background: Italy was the first large country to ban smoking in all indoor public places, including restaurants and bars. The aim of this study was to quantify, 3 years after the law came into force, the effects of the smoking ban in terms of observance of the legislation and change of habits. Methods: Data were considered from four representative surveys on smoking, conducted between 2005 and 2008 on a total of 12 245 individuals (5906 men and 6339 women) aged 15 years or over. Results: In 2008, more than 80% of Italians (more than 90% in northern Italy) had the perception that the smoking ban was respected in bars/cafes and restaurants, despite a slight reduction since 2005. In all the surveys combined, 75% of the Italian population reported that the smoking ban was respected in workplaces. Overall, approximately 10% of Italians reported that, after the implementation of the tobacco regulation, they went to bars/cafes and restaurants more frequently, and approximately 7% less frequently, than before. Conclusion: The study shows that in Italy the smoke-free legislation did not affect the business of restaurants and bars, and remains widely respected 3 years after the law came into force.
AB - Background: Italy was the first large country to ban smoking in all indoor public places, including restaurants and bars. The aim of this study was to quantify, 3 years after the law came into force, the effects of the smoking ban in terms of observance of the legislation and change of habits. Methods: Data were considered from four representative surveys on smoking, conducted between 2005 and 2008 on a total of 12 245 individuals (5906 men and 6339 women) aged 15 years or over. Results: In 2008, more than 80% of Italians (more than 90% in northern Italy) had the perception that the smoking ban was respected in bars/cafes and restaurants, despite a slight reduction since 2005. In all the surveys combined, 75% of the Italian population reported that the smoking ban was respected in workplaces. Overall, approximately 10% of Italians reported that, after the implementation of the tobacco regulation, they went to bars/cafes and restaurants more frequently, and approximately 7% less frequently, than before. Conclusion: The study shows that in Italy the smoke-free legislation did not affect the business of restaurants and bars, and remains widely respected 3 years after the law came into force.
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U2 - 10.1136/jech.2008.084426
DO - 10.1136/jech.2008.084426
M3 - Article
C2 - 19289387
AN - SCOPUS:67650084929
VL - 63
SP - 559
EP - 562
JO - Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
JF - Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
SN - 0143-005X
IS - 7
ER -