[Is smoke free legislation enforcing completely in Tehran 2009?]

ABSTRACT

Creating smoke-free public places is essential to protect non-smokers and it also motivates smokers to quit. Considering the smoking ban law in public places of Iran and weakly enforcement of this law, we decided to study the circumstances in Tehran. It was a cross-sectional study which has been done during 2009. Firstly, Tehran's geographic map was divided into 3 areas of north, center and south and secondly 10 spots in each area were selected randomly. By reaching to that addresses easy sampling was done and going straightly toward the right side to collect enough cases. The indicators including 'the existence of smoking ban signs, ashtrays and smoking areas and also the way of showing objecting against smoking' were questioned and observed. 458 restaurants and food courts were studied. In 60 places [13%] there were no smoking ban signs. In 140 places [30%] there were ash trays and in 54 places [12%] there were smoking areas. In 132 places [29%] the in-charge people had no objection against smoking in restaurants. All the cases were aware of smoking ban law in public places. More than 50% considered it as a useful law and 106 restaurants [23%] believed that the law enforcement would increase the number of customers. There was no statistically relationship between the place and working year of restaurants and law enforcement but it was shown a statistically relationship between smoking ban signs and showing objection against smoking and increasing the number of customers [p=0.000]. In spite of the fact that it has been a long time sine the law adaptation, but it has not been fully implemented, so it is necessary to reinforce the law