ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS RELATED TO REDUCING SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE AMONG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE...

Public smoke-free policy support can contribute to effective policy adoption, implementation, and impact. Furthermore, individuals may engage in behaviors to reduce secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe). This study examined factors associated with smoke-free policy support and behaviors to reduce SHSe.

We analyzed cross-sectional survey data among 261 students (Mage=22.26, SD=2.76; 55.6% female) at a large medical university in Tbilisi, Georgia. Multivariable regression analyses assessed sociodemographics, tobacco use, past-week SHSe, perceived risk of SHSe, and perceived smoke-free policy effectiveness in relation to smoke-free policy support; SHSe avoidance; and having asked others to put out cigarettes.

Overall, 38.3% reported current smoking, 62.8% lived with someone who used tobacco, and the average number of days of SHSe was 4.07 (SD=2.17). Most commons SHSe sources were open (58.2%) and closed public places (24.1%). The majority supported the smoking ban in closed (94.6%) and open public places (59.8%); 71.6% believed it should include other places. Average ratings were relatively high for perceived risk (M=3.38, 1=no-4=serious) but lower for perceived smoke-free policy effectiveness (M=2.51, 1=not-4=quite) and avoidance of SHSe (M=3.32, 1=never-5=always); 58.6% had asked someone to put out cigarettes. Greater smoke-free policy support, avoidance of SHSe, and having asked someone to put out cigarettes (respectively) were associated with nonsmoking status and greater perceived SHSe risk (p's<.01).

Despite general support for smoke-free policy and engagement in SHSe reduction behaviors in Georgia, additional efforts to reduce SHSe are needed (e.g., media campaigns to raise SHSe risk awareness, engaging nonsmoking adults in enforcement).