The Effects of Smoking Ban in Closed Public Spaces on the Status of Smoking

Abstract

Smoking Ban in Closed Public Spaces went into effect in Turkey on May 19, 2008. We aimed at investigating the status of smoking among hospital staff following the ban. The study was conducted with the staff of the university hospital other than physicians. A questionnaire form investigating the status of smoking among hospital staff, the effects of the ban on smoking in closed public spaces, their thoughts that might affect their decisions to quit smoking or to decrease the number of cigarettes smoked was implemented. Prior to each interview, the participants read and signed the informed consent form. Mean and percentage distributions were used in the evaluation of the data. Of 60 individuals, 68% were female, mean age was 40.72 ± 7.25. Of them 50% were active smokers. After the ban 55% of the smokers declared a decrease in the number of cigarettes they smoked, 37% said no change. The ban had no effect on smokers' decisions about quitting smoking. Social leadership and role model characteristics of healthcare professionals should be taken into consideration and the habit of smoking should be handled as a disease, and medical approaches including behavioral therapy should be given the necessary significance they deserve.