4068.0 Coverage of indoor smoking and vaping restrictions in the United States, 1990-2021

Session: Tobacco Poster Session 4: Smoke Free Policies

Program: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Time: 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Presenters:

Abigail Friedman, PhD

Abstract

Background: Secondhand cigarette smoke (SHS) is a known cause of serious disease and premature death. Over the past few decades, many US states and local jurisdictions have adopted restrictions on indoor smoking to protect employees and the public from SHS. With the recent rise in popularity of e-cigarettes, some jurisdictions are also adopting policies restricting indoor vaping. The aim of this study was to quantify state and national US coverage of policies restricting indoor cigarette and e-cigarette use.

Methods: We analyzed data from the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation on indoor smoking restrictions (ISR) and indoor vaping restrictions (IVR) from all 50 US states and Washington, DC. Using these data and 2015 population estimates, we calculated percent state and total US population covered by partial and comprehensive ISR (1990-2021) and IVR (2006-2021) in bars, restaurants, and workplaces.

Results: Between 1990-2021, national coverage of comprehensive ISR increased for bars (0%-66.5%), restaurants (0%-77.7%), and workplaces (0%-76.0%). Partial coverage of ISR increased slightly for bars (12.6%-13.8%), and decreased for restaurants (43.3%-15.4%) and workplaces (45.1%-24.0%). Moreover, between 2006-2021, national coverage of comprehensive IVR increased for bars (0%-44.3%), restaurants (0%-52.6%), and workplaces (0%-48.3%). Despite these increases in coverage, in many states, less than half of the population is protected by comprehensive ISR for bars (19 states), restaurants (14 states), and workplaces (16 states).

Conclusions: The percentage of the US population protected by ISR and IVR has increased over time. However, gaps in coverage still remain, which may be contributing to disparities in tobacco-related disease and death.