Households with smoking restrictions in Guadalajara, Mexico: Characteristics and associated factors

Background and aim: The purpose of this paper is to estimate the prevalence of smoking bans in the home (SBH), and the associated factors to existence of SBH among residents of Guadalajara, Mexico. Methodology: A cross-sectional, comparative study was carried out in the city of Guadalajara in 2004 as part of a multi-center research that has been conducted with Mexican-descent adults residing in three cities: San Diego, Tijuana and Guadalajara. A random sample of 400 Guadalajara adult residents completed the survey. Data on SBH, socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral and attitudinal factors, were collected through face to face and telephone interviews. Prevalence rates were obtained and OR was estimated (95% Confidence Interval), through multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model. Results: About 38.3 % (95% CI: 33.4-43.1); of Guadalajara households have a strict smoking ban; on the contrary, almost 18% (95% CI: 13.9-21.8) of the households do not have any restriction of smoke. In the multivariate analysis, the variables statistically associated to have SBH were: to watch in T.V. that the tobacco smoke is harmful (OR= 2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.4); to feel uncomfortable if people smoke close (OR= 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-2.9); to prefer public or private places where smoke is forbidden (OR= 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.9) and to avoid unpleasant scent to smoke (OR= 5.1, 95% CI: 1.1-24.5). Conclusions: The limited use of home bans in Guadalajara underlines the need for increased tobacco control efforts to reduce the smoker rate and the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.