TY - JOUR T1 - Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and attitudes to smoke-free policy (SFP): A population-based cross-sectional study in Portugal JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P1074 AU - Sofia Ravara AU - Fatima Bragança AU - Pedro Aguiar AU - Jose Manuel Calheiros Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1074.abstract N2 - Introduction: In 2008, Portugal implemented a partial, poorly-enforced smoking ban. Currently, a change to a comprehensive SFP is being considered. Aims: to evaluate: 1) SFP support 2) compliance with the ban in public places 3) perception on overall ETS exposure 4) exposure in the home and in the car 5) non-smokers assertiveness to smokers. Methods: In June-July 2012, a computer-assisted telephone interview population-based survey was carried out (national representative sample). Results Participants: 1002; 48% male; mean age 46.4±17.9 years. Of the respondents, 86% and 66.2% of smokers, (p<0.001), agreed with a comprehensive SFP. Patchy compliance with the ban was reported in general by 55% of the participants; and respectively in restaurants/cafes (47.9%), universities (37.2%), schools (25.7%), workplaces (24.4%), and in public transports (4.6%). Of the daily-smokers, 71% smoked in the home and 64.3% in the car. Of the non-smokers, 30.3% assertively asked smokers not to smoke indoors. Of the participants, 81% perceived being exposed to ETS never or little time. Conclusions: The overwhelming majority support a comprehensive ban. Patchy compliance with the ban and smoking in private settings is rather frequent. However, participants perceive little exposure to ETS. Assertiveness regarding protection to ETS exposure is low. There is a need for a comprehensive SFP. In addition, public health campaigns raising ETS awareness and promoting smoke-free public places, and smoke-free homes and cars should be considered. Health professionals should play a major role on tobacco control advocacy and implement systematic clinical advice on ETS exposure. ER -