Public awareness of and support for smoke-free legislation in Turkey: a national survey using the lot quality sampling technique

Six months after new legislation in Turkey banning smoking In all public places, a national survey was carried out to assess its implementation. This paper summarizes the main findings on the public's awareness of and support for the new law. In a household interview survey of 32 972 adults representative of the Turkish adult population, a high proportion of both non-smokers and current smokers [91.4% and 67.2% respectively] strongly supported the new law. Knowledge about the health hazards of passive smoking and support for the law, however, were relatively lower among smokers than non-smokers. After controlling for smoking status, people with better knowledge about passive smoking were over 5 times more likely to support the new law. Tobacco control activities should be tailored to local needs, with a focus on increasing awareness about the health hazards of passive smoking. The study also demonstrated application of the lot quality sampling technique [LQT] for monitoring tobacco control activities in a national survey

Absence of both stapedius tendon and muscle

During surgery for otosclerosis, it is common for the surgeon to cut the stapedius tendon. The absence of the stapedius muscle with its tendon is uncommon. In this study, we present a case of the absence of the unilateral stapedius tendon and muscle. During dissections of adult temporal bones, the absence of the stapedius tendon and muscle was found in one case. The tympanic cavity was explored with the help of a surgical microscope. The pyramidal process was not developed. A possible ontogenetic explanation was provided. In the presented case, the cause of the anomaly may be failure of the embryological development of the muscle. Awareness of the variations or anomalies of the stapedius muscle and tendon are important for surgeons who operate upon the tympanic cavity, especially during surgery for otosclerosis