Tobacco Use, Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke, and Crew Attitudes Regarding Smoking Policy Aboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71)
Abstract
To assess he impact of a no-smoking policy over time aboard the U.S. Atlantic Fleet carrier, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, baseline levels of tobacco use, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and crew attitudes regarding smoking policy needed to be established prior to implementation of the no-smoking policy. A total of 2,221 surveys were completed by the crew aboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT before the ship went nonsmoking. Thirty-six percent of participants classified themselves as current cigarette smokers, 42% as never smokers, and 22% as former smokers. Nonsmokers rated their general exposure to ETS between 'low' to 'moderate' and nonsmokers estimated that they were exposed to ETS an average of 10 minutes per day. Fifty-seven percent of participants were in favor of AIRLANT's restricted smoking policy and most participants rated the smoking policy as 'somewhat unfair' to 'generally fair.' Differences in responses to ETS exposure and attitude items by smoking status and enlisted/ officer status were seen. General support for the no-smoking policy or disagreement with the policy because it violates an individual's right to smoke were common themes in the written comments. Follow-up research has been planned to assess the long-term impact of the no-smoking policy on changes in attitudes regarding policy, tobacco-use rates, and ETS exposure. Environmental tobacco smoke, Tobacco use policy, Attitudes, Shipboard medicine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA280756
Entities
People
- Suzanne L. Hurtado
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center