Eisenberg, M; McCotter, O; Sciacca, J. Health Promot Pract, (2008

But Will I Be Re-Elected?

Purpose: To determine the impact of voting for clean indoor air ordinance on a local-level
policy maker's re-election status. Secondary data were used to identify local tobacco
ordinances in Arizona proposed between 2001 and 2005, score ordinance content for
comprehensiveness, identify policy makers who voted and how they voted, and
determine if the measure passed or failed. Participation in and outcomes of subsequent
elections were documented from public records.

Overall Findings: Ninety-two local-level policy makers in 15 local jurisdictions
considered clean indoor air laws between 2001 and 2005. Policy makers who voted for
these ordinances were more likely to be re-elected than those who voted against them.
Structured interviews revealed that policy makers did not believe the issue had an impact
on re-election results and believed that although the issue may have been contentious, it
was no longer salient in the community.

How it can be used:  Policymakers who supported clean indoor air laws in Arizona were
more often re-elected than those that voted against the laws. This study should be
replicated in several communities with different demographic compositions before the
results should be generalized.