Factors influencing implementation of the legislated smoking ban on schoolproperty in Ontario

Background. Implementation of legislation in Ontario, Canada, that banned s moking on school property gave rise to perceptions of problems in some scho ols. A telephone survey was conducted to assess these problems. This analys is identifies risk or protective factors in the school environment associat ed with administrators' reports of problems. Methods. Survey data were obtained from key informants in 213 high schools. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify school-related character istics associated with: (1) major problems in implementing the ban and (2) recommendations that schools return to designated smoking areas. Results. A protective factor against both outcomes was having a school no-s moking policy prior to the ban. Also protective against major problems was a perceived decrease in student smoking during the school day. The identifi cation of safety risks to students who leave school property to smoke was a strong risk factor for both outcomes, Beliefs that the ban was not effecti ve and opposition to it from teachers/staff were associated with desires fo r its repeal, Conclusions. In implementing legislated school smoking bans, attention shou ld be given to informing teachers and gaining their support. Strategies for dealing with potential safety risks to students who leave school property to smoke should also be devised. (C) 1999 American Health Foundation and Ac ademic Press.