RESTRICTIONS ON SMOKING - GROWTH IN POPULATION SUPPORT BETWEEN 1983 AND 1991 IN ONTARIO, CANADA

While much progress in curtailing exposure to environmental tobacco sm oke has occurred in Ontario, many jurisdictions still do not have any restrictions on smoking. To assess support in Ontario for restrictions , and recent changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, we compare d the findings of a population-based telephone survey conducted in 199 1 (n = 1421) to those of a similar survey conducted in 1983 (n = 1383) . Increases were found in the population's reported knowledge of speci fic health effects. Marked changes occurred in attitudes to restrictio ns on smoking. In 1991, the population consistently favoured more rest rictions on smoking and their enactment by all levels of government. A role for local health departments in enforcement was clearly recogniz ed. Most smokers indicated that they would comply with more restrictio ns. We also found that the self-reported prevalence of smoking had dec reased 8 percentage points between 1983 and 1991. Population-based evi dence of strong and increasing support for restrictions, accompanied b y predictions of a high level of compliance, especially by smokers the mselves, should facilitate legislation aimed at further curtailing smo king.