The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Compared to other ethnic groups in California, Hispanic/Latino adults have the highest secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at work (20.1%). Although Hispanic/Latinos choose to have smoke-free homes (92%), they are exposed to SHS by neighbors. In 2001, the Hispanic/Latino Tobacco Education Partnership launched an advocacy campaign, Regale Salud (“Gift of Health”), to reduce SHS exposure through voluntary no-smoking policies at small worksites and multi-unit residential facilities (e.g., apartment buildings) that are not included in the California smoke-free indoor laws (AB-13).

Methods: Quantitative and qualitative data on SHS exposure and policy initiatives to reduce SHS exposure at work and home were collected. Two predominantly Hispanic residential facilities in rural areas of California were identified. An interviewer administered a questionnaire on demographics and attitudes towards SHS policy development preceding each of two focus groups. Data were collected in Spanish.

Results: A total of 28 individuals participated in the study. Although the majority (71.4%) reported SHS as a problem at work or home, most (60.7%) reported no written or spoken policy on smoking in public areas in either environment. Most who reported SHS as a problem (71.4%) stated that there would be support for a non-smoking policy in communal areas. Regale Salud helps build community capacity, leadership, and empowerment through policy development while protecting individuals from SHS exposure at work and home. By incorporating culturally and linguistically specific issues of the population, Regale Salud is adaptive to other parts of the U.S. and Latin America where exposure to SHS at both work and home are prevalent.