Philippine E-Journals

Awareness of Smokers on the Anti-Smoking Ordinance of the City of Santiago and Its Impact on their Intent to Quit Smoking

Jose S. Sabaulan | Belinda A Ramos | Gemlee O. Baptista | Lorna V. Fulong

 

Abstract:

The social acceptability of smoking decreased because of the evidence of its harmful effects not only to the smoker and to the by-stander but also to the environment. Many countries made antismoking laws to support this advocacy. The effectiveness of implementation of these policies are dependent on the awareness of the provisions of the anti-smoking law and how it affects the behavior of the people to quit smoking. The aim of the study is to find out the awareness of participation of the respondents on the anti-smoking ordinance of a City and its impact on their intention to quit. The study made use of a survey questionnaire to collect the data from people who were found smoking in front of a University. Results showed that the participants were moderately aware of the ordinance especially on areas where smoking is prohibited. Their intention to quit smoking is positively influenced by the awareness on the anti-smoking ordinance through slogans and notices about the prohibitions on smoking. Because of the small number of participants, a more expansive target population can be taken as respondents as well as more demographic variables be considered. The impact of the anti-smoking ordinance on tobacco and cigarette companies and the people who depend on tobacco as their livelihood can be taken for a clearer picture of the impact of the anti-smoking law.