Media and secondhand smoke exposure: results from a national survey

Am J Health Behav. 2006 Jan-Feb;30(1):62-71. doi: 10.5555/ajhb.2006.30.1.62.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether associations between anti-secondhand smoke (SHS) media, social cognitions about SHS, and home restrictions on smoking follow patterns observed in smoking behavior.

Methods: Based on a nationally representative sample of 2348 US adults drawn from the American Legacy Foundation's American Smoking and Health Survey, we tested relationships among scales of anti-SHS media, social cognitions, and home restrictions.

Results: We found anti-SHS media and SHS cognitions, as well as social cognitions and home restrictions, to be significantly associated. Social cognitions mediated the relationship between anti-SHS media and home restrictions.

Conclusions: Previously observed relationships between media, social cognitions, and smoking also exist for SHS. Anti-SHS media campaigns to increase home restrictions may help to reduce SHS exposure.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Mass Media*
  • Middle Aged
  • Smoking Cessation / ethnology
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology*
  • Social Marketing*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / prevention & control*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution