Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places and the Coastline of Bandar AbbasCity in ۱۴۰۱

Background: An important aspect of public health maintenance for the WHO۱ is to controlsmoking; a major goal leading to the establishment of the Global Tobacco Control Treaty(FCTC۲) by WHO in ۱۹۹۹, which was adopted by the Iranian Vice Chancellor for Public Healthin ۲۰۰۵ and incorporated into a set of distinct laws for effective surveillance of smoking. Toevaluate the rigor of law enforcement in the case of the national anti-tobacco act, we surveyed anumber of entertainment centers, restaurants and on the coastline of Bandar Abbas, a majorseaport in southern Iran.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study we surveyed a number of coastal cafes andrestaurants in the second half of ۲۰۲۲. Using the formula for calculation of optimal sample sizewith an accuracy of ۹۵%, a total of ۳۵۰ cafes and restaurants located in ۱۰ randomly selectedcoastal locations and four beaches, namely; Soro, Dolat, Ghadir, and Half Circle, were included.The measured indicators included the location and history of activity, smoking surveillance andwhich were collected by questioning the staff and customers. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS۲۲.۰, using Chi-squared and independent t tests with significance threshold of ۰.۰۵.Results: In ۲۷۳ cases (۷۸%), at least one smoking prohibition sign was observed in public, ۷۰(۲۰%) of which included non-conventional signs. Though, no such signs were observed in theremaining ۷۷ (۲۸%) places. Despite being aware of smoking prohibition, the staff and customersin ۲۱۰ (۶۰%) sites confirmed having a habit of smoking. Of the cases were aware of smokingprohibitation, but using tobacco was seen in ۲۱۰ cases (۶۰%). Among the four beaches surveyed inthis study, the highest pattern of smoking was observed in Ghadir, followed by Half Circle, Soroand Dolat, the majority of which was due to accessibility of hookahs.Conclusion: While the staff of virtually all cafes and restaurants were aware of the prohibitorylaws regarding smoking, they did not strictly administrate such laws in the majority of instances(۶۰%), as they believed such measures would decreased their popularity, customer satisfaction andincome rate. As such, it appears that the mere knowledge of the existence of anti-smoking laws isnot necessarily enough for containment of smoking habits, and more practical and interactiveprograms should be initiated to remind individuals of the hazards of smoking in public places.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tobacco ، Coastline ، Bandar Abbas ، Hookah ، Smoking