Abstract
Abstract
Background: The Oita Taxi Kyokai prohibited smoking in all taxis in Oita City from April, 2006. The present study reports the results of a questionnaire distributed to managers of taxi companies in Oita City one year after the implementation of this measure.
Methods: The questionnaire about “nonsmoking taxis” was sent out to the managers of all taxi companies in Oita City in June,2007. From the questionnaire, the following 4 items were chosen for investigation:
(Q.1) How do you feel about the total smoking1 ban in taxis in general?
(Q.2) How do you feel your work environment has changed after the implementation?
(Q.3) What was the advantage of the implementation?
(Q.4) What was the disadvantage of the implementation?
Results: All 21 managers responded to the questionnaire. As for Q.1,14 out of 21 answered “Very good” or “Good.” As for Q.2,12 out of 21 answered “Made improvements” and no one answered “Became worse.” As for Q.3, 9 answered “The nonsmoking taxi is highly regarded by passengers who do not smoke,” and 8 answered “The interior appointments of the taxis became cleaner. ” As for Q.4, 9 answered “There was some trouble with passengers who smoke.” On the other hand, 7 answered “Nothing special”
Conclusion: The results showed the smoking ban in all taxis in Oita City was fairly well accepted and received a favorable reception, though the issue remains of how to request passengers who are smokers to refrain from smoking. This study was the first report to reveal the actual conditions after a smoking ban had been implemented in all taxis controlled by an administrative unit in Japan. These data may assist policymakers in promoting policies regarding nonsmoking taxis in the future.
