Lorillard
Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Compendium of Technical Information
Fields
- Alias
- 87808171/87808434
- Type
- REPT, OTHER REPORT
- Area
- SPEARS,ALEXANDER/OFFICE
- Litigation
- Ppla/Produced
- Characteristic
- DRFT, DRAFT
- PARE, PARENT
- Site
- G65
- Named Organization
- Natl Research Council
- NCI, Natl Cancer Inst
- Office of Disease Prevention + Health Pr
- Office on Smoking + Health
- Centers for Disease Control
- Epa, Environmental Protection Agency
- Hhs, Dept of Health and Human Services
- Natl Heart Lung + Blood Inst
- NCI, Natl Cancer Inst
- Author (Organization)
- Epa, Environmental Protection Agency
- Indoor Air Division
- Office of Air + Radiation
- Office of Atmospheric + Indoor Air Progr
- Indoor Air Division
- Named Person
- Behrens, R.
- Bennett, G.
- Cain, E.S.
- Haley, N.J.
- Leaderer, B.P.
- Mccarthy, J.
- Miesner, E.
- Novotny, T.E.
- Repace, J.L.
- Samet, J.M.
- Shopland, D.
- Spengler, J.D.
- Surgeon General
- Lewis
- Bennett, G.
- Master ID
- 87808171/8434
Related Documents:- 87808176-8203 Chapter 1 Passive Smoking - Beliefs, Attitudes, and Exposures in the United States
- 87808204-8210 Chapter 2 Effects of Smoking on Smokers
- 87808211-8229 Chapter 3 the Odor and Irritation of Environmental Tobacco Smoke
- 87808230-8247 Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Cancer
- 87808248-8275 Chapter 5 Measuring Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke
- 87808276-8299 Chapter 6 Exposures to Air Pollutants
- 87808300-8329 Chapter 7 Exposure Assessment in Passive Smoking
- 87808330-8363 Chapter 8 Absorption of Smoke Constituents by Nonsmokers
- 87808364-8384 Chapter 9 the Effects of Passive Smoking and Day Care on Respiratory Illnesses in Children
- 87808385-8420 Chapter 10 No Smoking Policies at the Worksite A Look at What Companies Are Doing Today
- 87808421-8434 Appendix to Chapter 10 Economic Justification for No Smoking Policies at the Worksite
- Date Loaded
- 07 Jan 1999
- UCSF Legacy ID
- olr99d00
Document Images
Fewer current smokers reported annoyance than on the 1986 AUTS (34%
vs 42%), but this difference may be in part due to the different
methodologies and sampling frames used in these two surveys. A
greater percentage of never smokers reported annoyance in 1987 than
in 1986 (88% vs 83%), but the overall response was exactly the same
(69% annoyed) on the two surveys. The NHIS-CEC also collected
information about what non-smokers did in response to exposure to
ETS. About half of respondents moved away from the exposure
source, 40% did nothing, 3% did something else, and only 4% asked
the person not to smoke. Despite high positive responses to
perceived harm caused by and annoyance to ETS, most non-smokers
remain rather passive in their behavior toward exposure sources
(Davis, in press).
Limiting or Banning Smoking in Public Places
Roper Surveys
The Roper Surveys began questioning the public about laws to
prohibit smoking or to segregate smokers in 1974. The percentage
of respondents favoring segregation in a variety of public places
is shown in Table 4. The majority of respondents felt that smokers
should at least be segregated in all the public places cited. After
asking about segregation of smokers and nonsmokers, respondents
were asked if amoking should be banned outright in selected public
places. The percentage of respondents favoring bans is shown
in Table 6L The majority of respondents favored smoking bans in
retail stores, physicians' or dentists' waiting rooms, and
elevators. The Roper Survey was careful to ask about segregating
smokers before asking about entirely banning smoking in public
places. The narrative pointed out that after recognizing the option
to segregate smokers, respondents were probably less likely to be
in favor of a total ban (Roper 1978).
The two most important reasons given by Roper Survey respondents
prior to 1978 as to why smoking should be restricted always had to
do with dangers to others, specifically, cigarette smoking as a
fire hazard and ETS as a health hazard to nonsmokers. In 1978, the
"health of non-smokers is harmed by other people smoking in their
presence" became the chief reason given by respondents (33%) in
favor of public laws against smoking.
Gallup Surveys and Polls
In 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1989, the Gallup Poll telephone surveys
conducted on behalf of the American Lung Association (ALA) asked
if smokers should refrain from smoking in the presence of
nonsmokers. Table 6 shows the results of these surveys. Overall,
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the percentage of respondents to these surveys agreeing that
smokers should not smoke in the presence of nonsmokers has
increased between 1983 and 1989. This trend holds true for both
smokers and nonsmokers in 1987 more than three-quarters of adults,
including 64% of current smokers, 76% of former smokers, and 86%
of nonsmokers, held this opinion. The 1989 survey did not
differentiate between smokers and nonsmokers. The Gallup
Organization also surveyed U.S. residents as to their opinion
regarding where smoking should be restricted or banned. With regard
to smoking in certain hotels, motels, and restaurants, the majority
of respondents in both 1983, 1987, and 1989 felt that certain areas
should be set aside for smoking (Table 7a). Bans were less favored,
especially by current smokers.
In addition to the 1983 and 1987 surveys, Gallup respondents were
asked if companies should have a policy on smoking at work in 1985.
The results of these surveys are also shown in Table 7. By 1985,
almost 90% of all respondents, including 80% of smokers and 89% of
nonsmokers, felt that smoking should be assigned to certain areas
of the worksite or that it should be totally banned at work.
In 1987, the monthly Gallup Polls (not commissioned by the ALA)
asked if respondents favored or opposed a complete ban on smoking
in all public places. The results of this poll are much more
strongly in favor of total bans on smoking in public places.
Overall, 55% of Americans favor a ban (43% oppose and 2% have no
opinion). Stratified by smoking status, 69% of nonsmokers and 25%
of smokers favor such a ban. These results contrast sharply with
the Roper results of almost a decade ago and are even more
impressive than the ALA sponsored surveys in the same year.
In the Gallup Survey conducted for the National Restaurant
Association in 1987, 61% of adults reported that they preferred to
sit in non-smoking sections in restaurants. These included 20% of
smokers, 65% of former smokers, and 83% of never smokers. (Mills
1987) These results are similar to the AUTS results on non-smoking
section preferences described below. However, an increasing trend
toward favoring the prohibition of smoking in public places is
evident. By 1989, the percentage of respondents favoring
prohibition of smoking was 12% for hotels and motels, 23 % for
restaurants, and 21% for worksites.
NHIS-CEC
The 1987 NHIS-CEC asked a slightly different question, which
restricted the respondent to consider indoor public places. The
percentage of all respondents, especially former smokers, agreeing
that smoking should not be done inside public places, was higher
on this survey than on the 1987 Gallup survey (Table 6b). The
Gallup question applied to a general statement about refraining
from smoking in the presence of nonsmokers.
12

Hamilton, Frederick, and Schneiders Survey
Interestingly, the Tobacco Institute-sponsored survey (Table 5b)
showed even stronger responses for restaurant and worksite
restrictions in 1988. For each of these sites, the question
referred to the "current policy" as a choice; for restaurants, the
choice was up to customers to select smoking vs. nonsmoking
sections, and for worksites, the choice was up to employers and
employees to decide on worksite policies. Fewer respondents in
this survey favored no restrictions on smoking than in the American
Lung Association survey (restaurants 2% vs 8%, worksites 3% vs
10%).
Adult Use of Tobacco Surveys
Between 1964 and 1975, the percentage of respondents favorinq
restrictions on smoking in public places increased from 52% to 70%
(Strongly agree and mildly agree) (Table 8). The question asked in
1986 was quite different from the questions asked in the earlier
surveys, but the 1986 responses are also shown in Table 8. Between
1964 and 1975, AUTS respondents favoring increased restrictions
increased 18 percentage points, from 52% to 70% overall. About half
of respondents in 1986 felt that restrictions against smoking were
adequate, perhaps because many more restrictions were in place by
1986.
In 1966 and 1975, respondents were also asked if employers have a
right to regulate smoking in their places of business. In 1966,
92% felt that the "employer has a right to tell a person when or
where he can smoke while on the job," whereas in 1975, 78% felt
that "management should have the right to prohibit smoking in their
places of business." These are somewhat different questions; the
first has to do with management's right to regulate employees, and
the second has to do with management's right to regulate customers,
visitors, and employees.
Harris Poll
In 1987, respondents to the Harris Poll, performed on behalf of
Prevention magazine, were asked if they think that laws should
prohibit smoking in public places, should these laws require.
separate smoking and nonsmoking sections, or should smoking in
public places not be regulated by law. Among all respondents, 23%
felt that laws should prohibit smoking in public places, 61% felt
that laws should require separate smoking and nonsmoking sections,
and only 13% felt that laws should not regulate smoking in public
places at all (3% were unsure). Again, more than 80% of
respondents, smoking and nonsmoking, favorea restrictions against
smoking in public places.
13

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Public Opinion on Restrictions After Enactment
Few evaluations of the acceptability of laws banning smoking in
public places have been performed. New York City enacted a ban on
smoking in most public places, including restaurants, in April,
1988. Three months after the ban took effect, a telephone poll of
676 randomly sampled New Yorkers (New York Times/WCBS-TV poll)
revealed that 73% of respondents overall approved of the law,
including 844 of nonsmokers and 43% of smokers (New York Times,
7/5/88).
The 1986 AUTS asked respondents if they would select nonsmoking
sections if given a choice. Overall, 61% choose nonsmoking seating
in airplanes, restaurants, and other public places. This includes
82% of never smokers, 69% of former smokers, and even 14% of
current smokers. These data suggest a high degree of acceptability
for smoking restrictions (CDC 1988).
Finally, A Clean-Air Ordinance took effect in March 1987 in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was evaluated after three months.
This evaluation revealed that 78% of Cambridge residents favored
the restriction, including 41% of smokers and 90% of nonsmokers
(Rigotti 1988).
Exposure to ETS
Many studies have been performed demonstrating the biochemically
measurable exposure of nonsmokers to ETS (US DHHS 1987). However,
only the 1986 AUTS has asked a nationally representative sample of
residents about exposure to ETS. A subsample of 8,600 working
respondents from the AUS was analyzed as to reported exposure at
the worksite and as to reported policies that restrict smoking at
their worksites. Table 9 shows the percentage of working
respondents reporting exposure to ETS according to reported
worksite smoking restrictions in place. Fifty-three percent of
respondents who worked in environments with restrictive smoking
policies still reported exposure to ETS. Of these, 11% reported
that their worksite is "very smoky." Even among the 2.5% of
respondents reporting a total ban on smoking in the workplace, 21%
still reported being at least somewhat exposed to ETS at work.
These data suggest that worksite restrictions decrease but do not
eliminate reported exposure to ETS at the worksite.
Worksite Surveys
In 1987, a random sample of the members of the American Society for
Personnel Administration (ASPA) reported that their worksites had
restrictive smoking policies. In 1986, a similar survey showed that
14

the percentage reporting restrictive policies was only 36% (BNA
1987). The 1986 figure was nearly the same as the percentage of
individual workers reporting such policies in the 1986 AUTS.
Among respondents to the 1985 ODPHP Worksite Survey, 35.6% of
worksites reported offering amoking control activities, including
classes, information, special events, or contests. Of these
companies, 76.5% also had formal smoking policies (not separated
by restriction or prohibition). In addition to frequently cited
benefits such as improved employee morale, improved employee
health, etc., respondents reported cleaner air and work
environments, fewer smokers in the workforce, and fewer complaints
from nonsmokers (USPHS1988).
Perceived Future Effect of Restrictive Smoking Policies
Research and Forecasts, Incorporated
Many of the surveys on public opinion cited above asked respondents
about their beliefs and attitudes toward passive smoke. Others
asked about whether the respondents favored restrictions on smoking
in public places. The National Survey of Healthcare Opinions
sponsored by the American Board of Family Practice (ABFP) in 1985
asked adults and Family Physicians if restrictions on smoking in
medical facilities or on the job would be effective in stopping or
discouraging smoking. The survey also asked if legally banning all
tobacco use everywhere would be effective. Among the general
public, 57% felt that restrictions in medical facilities would be
effective, 40% felt that restrictions by employers against smoking
on the job would be effective, and 21% felt that legally banning
the use of all tobacco would be effective. Among physicians, 83%
felt that such restrictions would be effective in health care
facilities, 67%. felt that restrictions would be effective on the
job, and 17% felt that totally banning the use of all tobacco
products would be effective. These responses should be
differentiated from those in other surveys that ask about support
for restrictive smoking policies.
The ABFP survey tried to ascertain if policies were an effective
intervention for smokers to refrain from using tobacco, whereas the
Gallup surveys tried to ascertain what people want in terms of
protecting the nonsmoker from exposure to ETS. Few studies have
actually been able to assess the effect of restrictive smoking
policies on smokers' behavior, but studies from individual
worksites show decreased numbers of cigarettes smoked per day
without a change in the prevalence of smoking (Peterson et al.,
1987, Rosenstock et al., 1986).
Summary and Conclusions
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These data indicate an important shift in public beliefs and
attitudes toward ETS over the last decade or more. While the vast
majority of U.S. citizens have recognized over the years that
cigarette smoking is directly harmful to the health of smokers (89%
of males and 90.9% of females in 1975 [AUTS 1975]: 92% of males and
91.8% of females in 1986 [AUTS 1986), the percentage of survey
respondents who believe that ETS is also harmful to the health of
nonsmokers has increased dramatically (46% overall in 1974 [Roper
1978] to 81% overall in 1986 (AUTS 1986, Gallup 1988]). Even more
Americans agree that ETS is harmful to vulnerable populations such
as pregnant women and children.
Many laws and local ordinances were put into place during the last
decade, also, and the procesa of these legislative activities
undoubtedly increased public awareness of ETS issues. The National
Academy of Sciences Report and the Surgeon General's Report on
Involuntary Smoking were released in late 1986. However, very
little of the change in belief about ETS harmfulness can be
attributed to the publication of these reports, even though they
received enormous media attention; most of the 1986 AUS had been
completed by late 1986. Therefore, the increase in reported beliefs
about ETS likely reflects a growing and sustained awareness among
U.S. residents about ETS as a health hazard rather than merely a
public response to the highly visible Surgeon General's Report.
This report may have convinced more persons abut the harmful
effects of ETS, as evidenced by the results of the 1989 Gallup
Survey.
The somewhat discrepant results on attitudes toward laws regarding
restricting smoking in public places found in the 1986 AUTS and the
1988 Harris Poll may be explained by the differences in the way the
question was asked in this survey. Many laws were put into place
by 1986, and respondents may have felt less concerned about
increasing regulations than they did in earlier surveys, before
these laws were in effect. Where these laws have been evaluated,
there appears to be widespread acceptance of them. Some studies
have implied that such laws have a beneficial effect on smoking
behavior. (Lewit,1988)
There appears to be a trend towards limiting smoking in workplaces.
It is unclear as to whether workplace laws and regulations against
ETS or simply the *concern for the health of nonsmokers is the
stimulus for this trend. The 1986 AUTS results, which show that
even with a total ban on smoking in the workplace some workers are
exposed to ETS, suggests that there may be incomplete enforcement
of restrictions. In worksites with segregation of smokers and
nonsmokers, exposure to ETS may result from the lack of efficacy
of separating smokers and nonsmokers within the same airspace. The
1986 Surgeon General's Report concluded that this level of
restriction was inadequate to protect the nonsmoker from ETS (US
DHHS *1987). The 1990 Health Objectives for the Nation, which were
16

adopted by the Public Health Service, recommend that all 50 states
have laws by 1990 that both prohibit smoking in enclosed public
places and require separate smoking areas in the workplace and in
dining establishments (Public Health Service 1980).
As of the publication date of the 1989 Report of the Surgeon
General (January, 1989), 31 State had laws restricting smoking in
public worksites, 13 had laws restricting smoking in private
worksites, and 26 had laws restricting smoking in restaurants (US
DHHS 1989). It is important to continue to assess public knowledge
and beliefs regarding tobacco use as new information becomes
available. These survey results assist public health providers in
measuring the success of policies to control health hazards such
as ETS. In addition, these data.emphasize the change in the social
milieu surrounding tobacco use. As public attitudes shift away from
the social acceptability of smoking, it may be more and more
important both for smokers to quit and for potential smokers to
avoid smoking. It may also be easier for policy-makers to address
tobacco issues more directly if they understand the nature of and
the changes in public opinions expressed through these surveys.
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Table 1. Surveys With Information on Beliefs, Attitudes, and Exposures
to Environmental Tobacco Smoke
Survey Y= Sponsor
Adult Use of Tobacco 1964,1966,1970
1975,1986 Office on Smoking and Health
Research and Forecasts 1985 American Academy of Family
Physicians
Gallup Survey 1983,1985,1987 American Lung Association
Gallup Survey
Gallup Survey
Harris Poll
Roper Organization
Hamilton, Frederick
and Schneiders 1987
1988
1987
1974,1976,1978
1988 National Restaurant Association
American Cancer Society
Prevention Magazine
Tobacco Institute
Tobacco Institute

Table 2. Beliefs About Harmfulness Caused by
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (% of Respondents)
by Smoking Status
ETS Harmful to Non-smokers
Smoking Status
rv rr n Former Nonsmokers Never Total
m k r Smokers Smokers
Roper 1974 30 57 46
Roper 1976 38 61 52
Roper 1978 40 69 58
Gallup 1983 64 80 84
Research and
Forecasts 1985
AUTS 1986
69
82
85
87
77 (Physicians-87)
81
NHIS-CEC 1987 67 84 89 82
Gallup 1988 64 86 89 81
Gallup 1989 86% (To Adults)
88% (To Pregnant Women)
89% (To Children)
g'78081199
Source: Roper Organization 1978; Gallup Surveys 1983, 1988; Adult Use of Tobacco Survey
1986, Research and Forecasts 1985

Table 3.a Annoyance Caused by
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (% of Respondents)
by Smoking Status
Annoyed by ETS
Smoking Status
Survey Current Former Nonsmokers Never Total
Smokers Smokers Smokers
Roper 1978 5 60
AUTS 1964 20 49 64 69 46
AUTS 1966 26 52 70 48
AUTS 1970 34 63 73 78 59
AUTS 1975 35 72 79 79 63
ROPER 1978 5 60
AUTS 1986 42 73 80 83 69
NHIS-CEC 1987 34 75 88 69
Source: Adult Use of Tobacco Surveys 1964, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1986; Roper
Organization 1978, NHIS-CEC 1987.
