Shifting Social Climate of Tobacco Control in Mississippi, 2000 to 2004 Robert McMillen SSRC Social Science Research Center Mississippi State University

Purpose To monitor changes in the social climate of tobacco control over the five years that Mississippi has implemented statewide tobacco control programs

Tobacco Control Objectives Long-term: Reduce consumption and prevalence of cigarette smoking Numerous initial and intermediate objectives: Social Climate Indicators

The Social Climate for Tobacco Control Work Education Family and Friendship Groups An Institutional Approach Health & Medical Care Mass Culture & Communication Recreation, Sports & Leisure Government & Political Order

Social Climate Survey - Tobacco Control Previously validated questions drawn from state and national tobacco control surveys –Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System –Tobacco Use Supplement – Current Population Survey –California Adult Tobacco Survey As well as other questions developed to measure attitudes, practices, and knowledge

Purpose Provide timely, comprehensive data about tobacco control attitudes and practices Objectively measure, and ultimately monitor, progress towards intermediate objectives Annual cross-sectional assessments of the social climate: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, & 2004

Sample Characteristics Simple Random Sample of Adults Computer assisted telephone interviewers 2000: N = 803; Cooperation Rate = 85% 2004: N = 905; Cooperation Rate = 96%

Changes from % of social climate indicators improved from 2000 to 2004 Support is increasing for restrictions on smoking in public places Smoking restrictions are becoming more prevalent in some public settings

Improvements in the Social Climate 45 indicators were included on both the 2000 and 2004 Mississippi SCS-TC Overall, 58% of indicators demonstrated statistically significant improvement over the past 5 years

Improvements 12 of 16 (75%) of practices improved 11 of 24 (46%) of attitudes and social norms improved 3 of 5 (60%) of knowledge indicators improved

Family & Friendship Groups 57% of indicators improved over past 5 years Smoking is not allowed at home, 69% to 75% Smoking is not allowed at home when children are present, 78% to 91% Parents should not allow under 18 youth to smoke, 88% to 94%

Education Only 1 indicator was included in both 2000 and 2004 survey No change in the belief that students should be punished for smoking at school, 95-97%

Government and Politics 20% of indicators improved over past 5 years Percent of adults who believe that stores should be penalized for the sale of tobacco to minors, 96% to 98%

Work 80% of indicators improved over the past 5 years Adults who believe that smoking should not be allowed in any area at work, 62% to 74% Smoking is not allowed at work, 53% to 74% Employer offers a cessation program, 15% to 20%

Health & Medical Care 60% of indicators improved over past 5 years Hospitals should be smokefree, 76% to 90% Cigarettes are very dangerous, 83% to 88% Cigars are very dangerous, 75% to 80%

Recreation 77% of indicators improved over the past 5 years More adults believe that malls, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and indoor sporting events should be smoke-free With the exception of bars, more adults report that these places are now smoke-free in their community

Mass Communication 20% of indicators have improved over the past 5 years Tobacco ads are not acceptable at sporting or cultural events, 60% to 65%

Long-Term Objectives

Percent Current Smokers Public High School Students Public Middle School Students Private High School Students Private Middle School Students

Adult Smoking Prevalence BRFSS estimates were 23.0% in 1999 and 25.6% in 2003 But other state adults surveys suggest that prevalence may be lower

Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University