Reactions to smoke-free public policies and smoke-free home policies in the Republic of Georgia: results from a 2014 national survey

• Published in: International journal of public health Vol. 61; no. 4; pp. 409 - 416
• Main Authors: Berg, Carla J., Topuridze, Marina, Maglakelidze, Nino, Starua, Lela, Shishniashvili, Maia, Kegler, Michelle C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.05.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Environmental Health; Female; Georgia (Republic); Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Housing - legislation & jurisprudence; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Polls & surveys; Public Facilities - legislation & jurisprudence; Public Health; Public Policy; Sex Factors; Smoke-Free Policy; Smoking; Smoking - epidemiology; Smoking - psychology; Socioeconomic Factors; Tobacco; Tobacco Smoke Pollution - legislation & jurisprudence; Georgia (country); Tobacco control; Secondhand smoke exposure; Public health policy; Health disparities
• ISSN: 1661-8556; 1661-8564
• DOI: 10.1007/s00038-016-0793-0

Objectives We examined receptivity to public smoke-free policies and smoke-free home status among adults in the Republic of Georgia. Methods In Spring 2014, we conducted a national household survey of 1163 adults. Results Our sample was on average 42.4 years old, 51.1 % male, and 43.2 % urban. Current smoking prevalence was 54.2 % in men and 6.5 % in women. Notably, 42.2 % reported daily secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe). Past week SHSe was 29.9 % in indoor public places and 33.0 % in outdoor public places. The majority reported no opposition to public smoke-free policies. Correlates of greater receptivity to public policies included being older, female, and a nonsmoker. Past week SHSe in homes was 54.2 %; 38.8 % reported daily SHSe at home. Only 14.3 % reported complete smoke-free home policies; 39.0 % had partial policies. The only correlate of allowing smoking in the home was being a smoker. Among smokers, correlates of allowing smoking in the home were being male and lower confidence in quitting. Conclusions SHSe is prevalent in various settings in Georgia, requiring efforts to promote support for public smoke-free policies and implementation of personal policies.