An Observational Study of the Secondary Effects of a Local Smoke-Free Ordinance || Preventing Chronic Disease: July 2011: 10_0123

ORIGINAL RESEARCH
An Observational Study of the Secondary Effects of a Local Smoke-Free Ordinance

Amy A. Williamson, MPP; Brion J. Fox, SM, JD; Paul D. Creswell; Xiaodong Kuang, MS, PhD; Sudakshina L. Ceglarek, PhD; Aaron M. Brower, PhD; Patrick L. Remington, MD, MPH

Suggested citation for this article: Williamson AA, Fox BJ, Creswell PD, Kuang X, Ceglarek SL, Brower AM, et al. An observational study of the secondary effects of a local smoke-free ordinance. Prev Chronic Dis 2011;8(4):A83.
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/jul/10_0123.htm. Accessed [date].

PEER REVIEWED

Abstract
Introduction
The secondary, sometimes unintended effects of smoke-free ordinances have not been thoroughly evaluated. In this observational study, we evaluated the association of a local ordinance implemented in Madison, Wisconsin, with changes in public disturbances; smoking, drinking, and bar-going behaviors in the general population; and smoking and drinking behaviors among university students.

Methods
We obtained data from 4 sources: police records, key informant interviews, a community survey, and an undergraduate survey. Except for interviews, which we conducted postenactment only, we compared measures before and after the ordinance was put into effect.

Results
We found no evidence of association of the ordinance with public disturbances. We found that the ordinance was not associated with changes in smoking rates, drinking rates, or bar-going in the general population, although bar-going decreased among the 16% of the general adult population who smokes (from 84% in 2005 to 70% in 2007, P < .001). Student smoking rates also decreased (from 23% in 2005 to 16% in 2007, P < .001), but student binge drinking did not change. Conclusion The study adds unique information to the evidence base on the effect of smoke-free policies, finding little evidence of their secondary, unintended effects. With the addition of these results to existing evidence, we conclude that the potential health benefits of smoke-free ordinances outweigh the potential harms from unintended effects. full-text: Preventing Chronic Disease: July 2011: 10_0123


Author Information
Corresponding Author: Amy A. Williamson, MPP, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, WARF 385, 610 N. Walnut St, Madison, WI 53726. Telephone: 608-265-9931. E-mail: aawilliamson@uwcarbone.wisc.edu.

Author Affiliations: Brion J. Fox, Paul D. Creswell, Xiaodong Kuang, Patrick L. Remington, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. Sudakshina L. Ceglarek, Aaron M. Brower, School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.