An Actor-Network Theory Analysis of Policy Innovation for Smoke-Free Places: Understanding Change in Complex Systems

Abstract

Complex, transnational issues like the tobacco epidemic are major challenges that defy analysis and management by conventional methods, as are other public health issues, such as those associated with global food distribution and climate change. We examined the evolution of indoor smoke-free regulations, a tobacco control policy innovation, and identified the key attributes of those jurisdictions that successfully pursued this innovation and those that to date have not. In doing so, we employed the actor-network theory, a comprehensive framework for the analysis of fundamental system change. Through our analysis, we identified approaches to help overcome some systemic barriers to the solution of the tobacco problem and comment on other complex transnational problems.

Introduction

“…Fortunately, a small but growing body of literature emerging on the politics of tobacco control is slowly gaining attention (Cohen et al, 2000). In the past ten years or so, some useful attempts have been made to understand how and why specific tobacco policies have emerged in specific social, cultural, and political contexts (Albaek, Green-Pedersen, & Nielsen, 2007;Bryan-Jones & Chapman, 2008;Feldman & Bayer, 2004;Grüning, Strünk, & Gilmore, 2008;Kurzer & Cooper, 2016;Nathanson, 2005;Reid, 2005;Studlar, 2002Studlar, , 2007aStudlar, , 2007bYoung, Borland, & Coghill, 2010). To give one example, Nathanson (2005) examined differences in countries' political systems and cultures, and how these evolve over time.…”

O Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo (PNCT) na perspectiva social: a análise de redes, capital e apoio social

“…Do mesmo modo, as investigações brasileiras, que apesar de não serem numerosas vêm se mostrando constantes [37][38][39][40][41][42] . Além dessas, há investigações que tratam de moradores de pequenas localidades específicas [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] , enquanto outros trabalham as relações interpessoais de grupos profissionais como enfermeiras ou funcionários públicos [51][52][53][54][55][56] . As investigações feitas em serviços tiveram o intuito de avaliá-los [57][58][59][60][61][62] , assim como a utilização deles por parte de seus usuários 63 .…”

Models of addiction and types of interventions: An integrative look

“…Core elements in these models are concepts explaining the construction of social groups, the spread of new behavior within such groups and the role of individual choices versus following the group norms. Examples for this group of models include diffusion theory (Ferrence, 2001) and actor-network theory (Young, Borland, & Coghill, 2011).…”