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Nicotine & Tobacco Research Advance Access published online on April 9, 2009
Nicotine & Tobacco Research, doi:10.1093/ntr/ntp046
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.

At the frontier of tobacco control: A brief review of public attitudes toward smoke-free outdoor places

George Thomson, Nick Wilson and Richard Edwards

George Thomson, Ph.D., Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
Nick Wilson, F.A.F.P.H.M., Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
Richard Edwards, M.D., Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand

Corresponding Author:George Thomson, Ph.D., University of Otago, Box 7343, Wellington South, Wellington, New Zealand. Telephone: +(64)-4-385 5541. Fax: +(64)-4-389 5319. Email: george.thomson{at}otago.ac.nz


  Abstract

Introduction: Outdoor smoke-free areas have been adopted increasingly in North America, Britain, Ireland, Australasia, and elsewhere. Their use appears to be one of the frontier areas of tobacco control development. We briefly reviewed the available reports on public attitudes about smoke-free public outdoor areas.

Methods: We included surveys of the general population or of users of public outdoor locations, reported in English language publications to September 2008.

Results: We identified 16 relevant reports that used surveys from 1988 to 2007. Although the evidence remains limited, this research indicates that, in a number of jurisdictions, the majority of the public supports restricting smoking in various outdoor settings. Support for smoke-free outdoor public places appears to be increasing over time. Among respondents’ reasons for support were the following: litter control, establishing positive smoke-free role models for youth, reducing youth opportunities to smoke, and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke.

Discussion: Given the recent increase in outdoor smoking restrictions in many developed countries and the growing recognition of the importance of reducing smoking role models for children, this area needs further research related to attitudes and policy evaluation. Given the levels of public support, policy makers in some jurisdictions appear to have an opportunity to establish smoke-free outdoor public places, at least in areas frequented by children.

Received: October 18, 2008; Accepted: January 27, 2009
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