ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Italy implemented a law in January 2005 banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces. OBJECTIVES: To document perceived obstacles and effects of the law and observed client smoking behaviours in bars and restaurants. DESIGN: Four surveys were conducted between December 2004 and February 2006. Protocols and questionnaires were posted on a public health website to solicit participation among local health units (LHUs). Participating LHUs randomly selected 50 bars and restaurants using the electronic Yellow Pages. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to owners or managers of selected locales; all of them were revisited during peak hours to collect questionnaires and observe client smoking. RESULTS: Before the ban, smokers were observed in 31% of locales; 24% of owners predicted major financial losses. One year later, no smokers were observed and only 7% reported major financial losses. Only 30% had received law enforcement visits. Most owners/managers (88%) reported positive attitudes about the law and 79% reported such attitudes among clients. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian smoking law has drastically reduced smoking in bars and restaurants despite minimal enforcement visits. Perceived negative effects on profits appear limited, and the owners and managers and their clients are satisfied.
Subject(s)
Restaurants/legislation & jurisprudence , Smoking/legislation & jurisprudence , Smoking/psychology , Attitude , Humans , Italy , Public Opinion , Smoking Prevention , Social Behavior , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tobacco Smoke Pollution/prevention & controlABSTRACT
[3H]Flunitrazepam (FNZ) binding to cortical neurons from fetal rat brain was investigated in vitro. The use of a synthetic medium specific for neurons made it possible to plot a developmental curve of 3H-FNZ binding in an almost pure neuronal culture. Detectable specific binding was present in vitro at time 0 (that is, the 16th gestational day). A progressive increase of binding, due to an increment in the number of recognition sites, was observed on the subsequent days. The affinity of the specific binding sites to 3H-FNZ was enhanced by the addition of exogenous GABA, whereas the density was not affected.
Subject(s)
Flunitrazepam/metabolism , Hormones/pharmacology , Neurons/metabolism , Animals , Cell Differentiation , Cells, Cultured , Culture Media , Neurons/cytology , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacologySubject(s)
Lysine/metabolism , Retina/metabolism , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacology , Animals , Bicuculline/analogs & derivatives , Bicuculline/pharmacology , Binding Sites , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Dark Adaptation , Male , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Retina/drug effects , Retina/physiology , Vision, Ocular , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/administration & dosageABSTRACT
An asymmetric distribution of GABA binding sites was found in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellar hemispheres, striatum, and thalamus. Higher levels of [3H]GABA binding were observed in the left-side of most brain areas and in a greater percentage of adult rats, but the opposite asymmetry was found in the thalamus. A similar left-right difference in cerebral hemispheres was also found in five day-old rats, suggesting the genetic predetermination of asymmetry.
