Spanish opinions on tobacco smoke-free areas

To determine the number of passive smokers, the environments where exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) is higher, the opinion of smokers and non-smokers with regard to these spaces and their influence on smoking. Descriptive and cross-sectional observational study of a convenience sample. Multi-centre, Spanish Health-care Centres. A total of 9733 people older than 16 years who were seen or were working in Spanish Health-care Centres in April 2008. Smoker condition, gender, profession and their opinion with regard to second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure. A total of 42.4% of participants considered themselves second-hand (passive) smokers in public places and 96.8% in indoor areas. Almost all of them (91.8%) considered SHS exposure harmful for non-smokers, Smoke-free environments were considered to be good for discouraging people from starting to smoke (70.3%), and for quitting smoking (71.8%). Smoke-free environments were preferred by 81.1%. They felt more exposed SHS inside a car (79.8%) and in cafes (34.7%). Non-smokers, both men and women, shared these opinions significantly (P