Knowledge and attitude of workers and patrons in coffeehouses, cafes, restaurants about cigarette smoke

Abstract

A legislation about smoking restriction in all workplaces is under consideration in Turkey. In our study we evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of workers and patrons of cafes, restaurants and coffeehouses about smoking ban in their worklaces. Twenty eight owners, 67 workers and 242 patrons in 12 coffeehouse, 12 restaurants and 7 cafes were interviewed. A desire to work in a smoke-free workplace was most frequent 979.8%) among coffeehouse group and 63.9% in cafe group, 57.8% in restaurants group. Smoking ban was most frequently requested by coffeehouse group and least frequently by cafe group. Coffeehouse and cafe groups were supposing a decrease in the number of patrons and incomes with such a legislation, whereas restaurant group was thinking that no change will occur. 45.4% of the coffeehouse patrons stated that they would less frequently visit that workplace in case of a smoking ban, whereas 47.8% of restaurant patrons stated that there would be no change with their frequency to visit there. A desire to work in a smoke-free workplace and requesting a smoking ban for all workplaces were more frequent among nonsmokers. Smokers stated that their frequency to visit those places would decrease in case of a smoking ban, whereas nonsmokers stated an increase in their frequency to visit those places. We think that informing the owners and workers of coffeehouses, restaurants and cafes about these facts is very important and would increase the compliance to such a legislation.