Community knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about environmental tobacco smoke in homes and cars

to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in cars and homes in Queensland.

1,026 randomly selected Queensland residents (84% response) participated in a computer assisted telephone survey to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours about ETS in cars and homes; and attitudes towards restrictions on smoking in a range of contexts.

Most respondents are aware of the negative health effects of ETS and have smoking bans in their cars (75.8%) and homes (76.8%), however bans are less prevalent for smokers (cars: 37.9%; homes: 51%; p=0.000). For cars/homes, most smokers who did not have smoking bans would not smoke at all around pregnant women (67.7%/53.7%); fewer would refrain for childrenor=2 years (p=0.000) compared to non-parent smokers. Most respondents support car/ home smoking bans for children

There is strong community support for legislation targeting ETS in cars and homes, however this varies by context, smoking and parental status.