ASH Wales is hosting a groundbreaking Tobacco Control conference in April 2008.
Mae ASH Cymru'n cynnal cynhadledd arloesol ar Reoli Tybaco ym mis Ebrill 2008. Ewch i'n gwefan er mwyn cadw'ch lle yn y digwyddiad pwysig.
Imagine… Now is the time
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View the speakers' abstracts
Odette Parry is currently a research professor and director of the Social Inclusion Research Unit (SIRU) at the University of Wales, North East Institute (NEWI). Odette started her research career at Cardiff University, before moving to The University of the West Indies and then Edinburgh University, where she headed a research programme on health-related risk behaviours. She has published widely in the area of tobacco control and currently heads the qualitative evaluation of the introduction of the public no-smoking legislation in Wales, with colleagues from North Wales, Cardiff and Scotland.
The qualitative study on which this paper is based, forms part of the Welsh Assembly Government funded wider evaluation of the smoke free legislation in Wales. The study comprises in-depth panel interviews with key stake holders and observations in selected venues serving alcohol across four case study sites in Wales, pre and post legislation. The panel comprised 80 respondents, including smokers, bar and club proprietors, bar workers, police officers, environmental health officers, local councillors, smoking cessation workers, and LVA and Welsh brewery representatives.
At baseline, a total of 52 respondents were smokers. Smokers were aged between 17 and 70 years. 56% were female and 44% were male. Most were heavy smokers, with reported average daily cigarette consumption in excess of 20 cigarettes. 81% described themselves as dependent smokers, and 88% smoked their first cigarette of the day within an hour of waking.
The majority of the smokers were in favour of the ban because they anticipated it would help them to quit. However, smoking cessation workers (while supporting the ban) described it as ‘no quick fix’ and highlighted the problems which some (particularly disadvantaged) dependent smokers experience when attempting to quit. This presentation draws on the analysis of baseline data and initial findings (interviews and observation) from the post ban data collection. It focuses upon changes in smokers’ self reported smoking and drinking behaviours (in terms of level, patterns and location), and perceptions of change reported by other key stake holder groups. In examining smokers’ adaptive behaviours (and issues which they may experience regarding quitting or conforming with the legislation), the presentation highlights the implications for future intervention with smokers who find it hardest to quit.