Health: The main ally for support of the anti-tobacco law in Spain | La salud, el principal aliado de la aceptación de la «ley antitabaco» en España

Abstract

Objective: To determine the sociodemographic characteristics and opinions that predict citizens' attitudes towards the anti-tobacco law in Spain. Methods: Data was analyzed from a telephone survey on smoking habits conducted among citizens of Spain in 2008 by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS). The sample was stratified by region and size of habitat, establishing age and sex quotas. A descriptive analysis is provided of the main results. A forward stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed with opinions about the anti-tobacco law as a dependent variable and sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents as independent variables. Results: The perceived effectiveness of the law in terms of health benefits and reduction in number of smokers and cigarettes consumed has the greatest predictive power on support for the anti-tobacco law. Conclusion: Policies aimed at improving public health must meet with the support of citizens. In order to garner this support it is essential that citizens be informed about the effectiveness and health benefits of restrictive legislation such as anti-tobacco laws.