Smoke-free legislation, quitting and consumption: implications for smoking cessation
Deborah Ritchie, Senior Lecturer and Head of Nursing Studies, Edinburgh University, UK and Amanda Amos, Professor and Head of Public Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK

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Abstract

Aim:
This paper will draw on key findings from a longitudinal qualitative study of four contrasting communities in Scotland to explore the impact of smoke-free legislation on reducing consumption and quitting.

Methods:
A range of qualitative methods were used to explore change, at both the individual and community level, in four socio-economically contrasting localities in Scotland. These included: repeat in-depth interviews, before and after implementation of the law in March 2006, with a panel comprising current (and a small number of former) smokers; semi-structured interviews with community informants; discreet observations in public places including bars, cafés and community venues, at each of the four waves of data collection. 

Findings:
The legislation was associated with changes in smoking behaviour in all localities. This but was most marked among participants from the disadvantaged communities where there was a greater overall reduction in consumption of tobacco, including quitting. 

Conclusion:
The smoke-free legislation had a marked impact on smoking behaviour and contributed to changes in consumption, particularly in areas of disadvantage, which have both higher smoking prevalence and more heavy smokers than advantaged localities. This has implications for smoking cessation approaches in these communities.

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About the presenters
Deborah Ritchie is Head of Nursing Studies at Edinburgh University. She has a background in tobacco control, health promotion and working in disadvantaged communities. Her particular research interests are inequalities and smoking, and smoking and mental health.

Amanda Amos is and Head of Public Health Sciences at Edinburgh University. Her research has focused on a range of smoking issues from the individual to community and societal levels.

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