[The knowledge and application of regulations on smoking in secondary teaching centers]

Despite the growing body of legal and normative regulations regarding promotion, sales and consumption of cigarettes, a few studies have already pointed to a low enforcement and commitment of these restrictions. This study explores the degree of awareness and compliance of these norms in the secondary school.

Cross-sectional, observational study. A telephone survey was carried out.

A simple of school principals or deputy principal was surveyed.

A questionnaire was designed to obtain respondents knowledge of the current policies regarding smoking, as well as on the existence of visible signals in the school wards. Besides, opinion on tolerance towards smoking behavior among the school teachers was ascertained.

Virtually at the respondents (98.8%) declared to know the existence of the regulations, although only 74.4% declared to have specific regulations at the school level. Smoking by teachers was allowed in their own offices in 61.6% of the centers. In open grounds, only 4.7% of the centers authorized adults to smoke while 18.6% permitted to smoke to the students. Public centers were less restrictive than private centers.

Principals of secondary schools are aware of the existing, policy, and in most cases largely restrict public consumption. However, there are still some important gaps regarding signals, consumption in outdoor public spaces and teachers consumption in their own offices. Specific interventions seem to be necessary to overcome this situation.