SMOKING BANS IN MONTREAL SCHOOLS: DO THEY WORK?

A recent study published in the European Journal of Public Health by a team led by the CRCHUM’s Jennifer O’Loughlin reveals that although complete smoking bans on Montreal school grounds were initially effective, adherence steadily declined thereafter. Indeed, in certain cases, the prevalence of smoking among school personnel (teachers and other staff members) on school grounds appears to have almost returned to levels witnessed before the complete ban came into effect in 2006. The decline in adherence appears to be more pronounced in schools located in lower income areas.

Smoking bans and smoke-free zones in public areas have become commonplace and are associated with reduced smoking in adults and youth. Schools with smoking bans generally have lower student smoking rates, especially when the ban is enforced. School smoking bans may be especially important because they affect social norms by limiting smoking among persons with influence on young people such as teachers and other school staff.

“Although our study does not identify the reasons for this decline, our observations are a matter of some concern given the role-model influence that adults have on youth,” notes O’Loughlin. The study points to a number of possible reasons for the observed decline in adherence. Anti-smoking legislation may require on-going support after implementation to sustain adherence, particularly in schools in low-income areas. To this end, several approaches may improve adherence including support from local health units, involving staff and parents in implementing the ban, and ensuring clarity about who is responsible for enforcing the ban and how it will be enforced.

This study is one of the first to document the effects of legislation banning smoking on school property. The data are unique in that they report what the students perceived in terms of smoking by their role models at school.  Further research is needed to understand the reasons why school smoking bans may not be effective over time, as well as how to support schools, especially those located in lower income areas, in their enforcement of anti-smoking legislation.

About the study

“Effect of anti-smoking legislation on school staff smoking may dissipate over time,” published on January 31 in the online version of the European Journal of Public Health.  (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23377142)

About Dr. Jennifer O’Loughlin

Dr. Jennifer O’Loughlin is a Canada Research Chair in the Early Determinants of Adult Chronic Disease. She is a researcher in the CRCHUM Health Risks Theme and a professor in the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Montreal. Dr. O’Loughlin’s research program is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute.

Information

Richard Ashby
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CHUM Research Centre
(514) 890-8000, ext. 14090
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