Correlates of Smoke-Free Policies in Homes and Cars Among Hawaii Residents

The detrimental health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) have been well established. Cars and homes are two of the primary places that nonsmokers, particularly children, are exposed to ETS. This study examined the prevalence of smoke-free policies in homes and cars among 4,557 residents of Hawaii using cross-sectional data collected from a random-digit dial telephone survey. Smokers were much less likely than nonsmokers and former smokers to have smoke-free policies. Multivariate analysis of current smokers revealed that significant predictors of banning smoking in the home were: disagreeing that it is okay to smoke indoors, smoking fewer cigarettes per day, and higher confidence in ability to quit smoking. Significant predictors of banning smoking in the car were: disagreeing that it is okay to smoke indoors, smoking fewer cigarettes per day, and having children in the household. This study indicates that changing smokers’ attitudes about ETS may be an important component of a comprehensive program to increase smoke-free homes and cars

Increasing Access to Places for Physical Activity Through a Joint Use Agreement: A Case Study in Urban Honolulu

BackgroundTo increase levels of physical activity (PA), interventions that create or enhance access to places for PA are recommended. Establishing a joint use agreement is one way to increase access to existing PA and recreational facilities. The purpose of this article is to present a case study of In-Motion, a pilot joint use agreement project at one urban high school in Honolulu, Hawaii.ContextResidents of urban Honolulu are underserved by the amount of parkland and recreational facilities available for their use. The Honolulu County Department of Parks and Recreation sought to implement a joint use agreement to use the facilities of one urban high school for a recreational program. The high school selected for the pilot project has a student population primarily from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds.MethodsAn assessment of the potential of 7 urban high schools to implement a joint use agreement was conducted to select the pilot site. In-Motion developed and implemented a joint use agreement. PA preferences of students, staff, and community members were assessed to guide recreational program offerings. Various recreational classes were offered free to the school community.ConsequencesSeveral barriers to implementing the joint use agreement and recreational program were encountered. However, participants were satisfied with the recreational classes they attended and said that the In-Motion program helped them to engage in more PA. Program awareness by high school students and staff was high.InterpretationIn-Motion has successfully modeled a pilot joint use agreement and provided new opportunities for PA to the high school’s students, teachers, and staff, and to community residents