15.2 Public opinion about smokefree environments

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Public concerns about passive smoking have increased over the years from the late 1980s and public support for restrictions on smoking has increased in parallel. A 2003 systematic review of Australian studies (published from 1992–2002) found a 20% increase in support for bars and gaming venues to be entirely smokefree.30 The researchers predicted that support would, "reach 80% or more within 6 months, should a ban be introduced".30 p 321

15.2.1 National studies of attitudes to smoking bans

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (2001, 2004, 2007) included questions on community support for measures to reduce problems associated with tobacco use. In 2004, support for smoking bans in restaurants was the highest of all venues measured, with 89.1% of all people in support. In 2004, support for smoking bans in pubs and clubs saw substantial increases, with the biggest increase for support among smokers themselves. (Table 15.1) The vast majority of people also supported smoking bans in pubs and clubs. In 2007, 77% of Australians supported a smoking ban in pubs and clubs.31 This figure has increased significantly since 2004 when only 68.1% of people were in support of smokefree pubs and clubs. (Table 15.1a) This is most likely due to the successful implementation of smoking bans in bars and pubs since 2004. In New Zealand, 16 months following the implementation of national smokefree environments legislation, support for smokefree bars saw the greatest gains among smokers. Nearly half of all smokers (48%) said they supported smokefree bars in March 2006 as compared to only 31% in September 2005.32

15.2.2 Community attitudes to indoor bans

A survey of public opinion was conducted in Victoria in November and December 2005, after the announcement of the government's intention to ban smoking in bars from July 2007. The majority of Victorian adults surveyed (77%) approved of the proposal to ban smoking in hotels and licensed bars. Support was the strongest among those who were never smokers (87%) and former smokers (81%). However, almost half (47%) of smokers also approved of banning smoking in licensed hotels and bars.35

In 2003, the majority of Victorian adults felt that smoking should not be allowed in common areas of apartment complexes (92%), or in children's playgrounds (87%). Approximately two-thirds thought that smoking should not be allowed outside building entrances (64%), and just under two-thirds thought smoking should not be allowed in outdoor dining areas (63%).

In Queensland in 2006 support for the laws banning smoking in licensed premises and at all outdoor eating and drinking venues, soon after their introduction, was high. 90% of respondents to a survey gave their support. Even 81% of smokers supported the legislation.36

15.2.3 Community attitudes to outdoor bans

As part of the Victorian population telephone survey conducted annually by the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Victorian adults (aged 18 years and older) in 2004 (N=2998), 2005 (N=2999) and 2006 (N=2996) were asked whether they think that smoking should be allowed in a range of outdoor places. These included beaches, just outside entrances to buildings, at outdoor places where children are present, primary and secondary school grounds and within hospital grounds. The results of this survey are set out in Table 15.2.

In 2006, almost half (47%) of Victorian adults believed that smoking should not be allowed at beaches, and this was a significant increase on the disapproval levels of 40% and 41% observed in 2004 and 2005 respectively. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents thought that smoking should not be allowed just outside entrances to buildings, and this was again a significant increase from the level of disapproval observed in 2004 (60%) and in 2005 (64%). Almost three-quarters (73%) of respondents thought that smoking should not be allowed at outdoor places where children are present. This disapproval of smoking outdoors where children are present was a significant increase on the disapproval level recorded in both 2004 (59%) and 2005 (61%). Disapproval of smoking at primary or secondary school grounds did not change between 2005 (96%) and 2006 (97%), and in 2006 more than three-quarters (77%) of respondents believed that smoking should not be allowed within hospital grounds.37