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What Wellington region city councillors think of
smokefree outdoor places
Sharon Tay,
George Thomson
Global advancements in awareness of the hazards of
secondhand tobacco smoke have spurred the introduction of smokefree policies in
many countries worldwide.1 Within New Zealand,
central government legislation to restrict tobacco smoking in indoor public
places has received widespread acceptance and high
compliance,2–4 attributed to the
increasing awareness by smokers5 and
non-smokers of the health hazards of indoor secondhand
smoke.6
In addition to indoor smokefree policies, several
international jurisdictions have enacted laws to enable outdoor smokefree public
places—for example parks, playgrounds, and beaches in
California,7 Hong Kong, and New South
Wales.8,9
In Singapore, comprehensive legislation prohibits tobacco
smoking in outdoor public places—including dining facilities, bus-stops
and taxi-stops, swimming and sports facilities, grounds of schools and
healthcare establishments, and any area occupied by a queue of two or more
people.10 In Washington State in the United
States (US), areas within 25 feet (7.62 metres) of public places and places of
employment are required to be
smokefree.11
Several New Zealand district councils—including
Ashburton,12 South
Taranaki,13 Queenstown Lakes, South Wairarapa,
Carterton, Whanganui, New Plymouth, Rotorua, and
Opotiki14,15—have educational policies
that use signs and media information (rather than bylaws) to encourage the
public to keep outdoor parks, playgrounds, and sports grounds smokefree.
An educational policy introduced in 2006 for smokefree Upper
Hutt city parks is the most comprehensive policy regarding smoking in outdoor
public places in the Wellington region—it has received strong public
support.16,17 In 2002, the Wellington City
Council enacted a bylaw to prohibit smoking in Cable Car Lane, a semi-enclosed
area.18
When children see or know others are smoking, they are at
increased risk of smoking and of continuing to smoke, because of the example and
normalisation of smoking.19–21 There
appears to be a dose-response effect, so the more there is smoking around them,
the more youth are at risk of smoking.22,23 The
risk is partly because perceived smoking prevalence indicates to children the
social norms for smoking.9,10
Despite the role modelling for smoking from outdoor public
smoking, there appear to be no relevant New Zealand government guidelines and
little relevant legislation. The exception is the requirement for the grounds of
schools and early childhood centres, and grounds used primarily by children from
such centres, to be smokefree.24 The notion of
outdoor smokefree policies for public places in New Zealand is therefore
anticipated to remain an area of controversy amongst the public and
policymakers.
Furthermore, the development of such policies appears to
have been little studied within New Zealand or internationally. A 2004 Minnesota
(a US state) survey of city or county park and recreation directors found that
those in places without policies expressed a range of concerns about
possible implementation problems. Those in places with some sort of
smokefree parks policies reported that some of the concerns were justified,
however 90% of them would recommend the policy to other
places.25
Generally, tobacco policy research has highlighted the
complexity of policy,26, 27 the importance of
agenda setting,28-30 and the way this increases
the role of officials and advocates.31 Theories
of how tobacco control policies progress to the point of adoption suggest that
effective lobbying can get laws adopted. Such lobbying needs to be accompanied
by ‘outsider advocacy’, where public support for change is
demonstrated by advertisements, demonstrations and
referenda.32,33
The essential elements of advocacy include framing issues
skilfully to facilitate understanding and resonance with wide concerns, ensuring
media coverage of issues (sympathetic where
possible)34 and understanding the political
context.35 In New Zealand, much of the research
on the policy process for tobacco
control36–40 has focused on the
1987–90 period and at the national level.
This study explored the current knowledge of and attitudes
to outdoor smokefree policies expressed by city councillors in three cities in
the Wellington region, so as to identify themes and implications for policy
development. Councillors were chosen for this initial study so as to focus on
the overt politics of outdoor smokefree areas. We recognise that the study of
non-elected officials’ knowledge and attitudes will also be valuable for
the examination of institutional pathways for change.
MethodOver a 1-week recruitment period in November 2007, all
councillors from the Hutt, Porirua, and Wellington city councils were invited to
participate in the study. The councils were selected as those near to a city
(Upper Hutt) that had successfully implemented smokefree parks policies. Contact
details of the councillors were obtained from their council websites. An
information sheet and consent form was first emailed to each councillor with a
request for an anonymous interview.
Follow-up telephone calls were made to establish
whether or not each councillor wished to participate. Ethics permission was
obtained through the University of Otago ethics process.
Semi-structured interviews (with both closed and open
questions) were conducted in person with each participant, with notes taken by
the interviewer. The interviews, lasting 15 minutes to 1 hour, were conducted
across Lower Hutt, Porirua, and Wellington from 21 November to 7 December 2007.
Interviewees were asked about their knowledge and views regarding outdoor
smoking in public places, and regarding policies to limit this.
Responses were recorded by the interviewer (ST) and
analysed for themes and ideas, using a mixed inductive and directed theoretical
approach. The analysis used coding largely based on set questions, but allowed
for the inductive development of themes from the responses to both set and open
questions. Particular interest was given to how the councillors grouped and
framed ideas for encouraging and facilitating policy change. Care was taken to
ensure several and opposing viewpoints from the
data.41pp.18–19
At the end of the project, the study results were sent
to those councillors who had requested them.
ResultsSample—35 (90%) out of 39 councillors
responded to the interview invitation; 26 (74%) agreed to be interviewed, but 5
were not able to be interviewed in the time available. Hence, 21 councillors
(54%) were interviewed, comprising 10 females and 11 males.
Knowledge about existing outdoor
smokefree policies—There was very limited knowledge about
existing outdoor smokefree policies. Eight (38%) of the councillors interviewed
were aware of outdoor smokefree public places in New Zealand or overseas,
however 13 (62%) were not. Four cited Upper Hutt parks, two cited Manukau sports
grounds, two cited Westpac stadium, and one cited golf courses and outdoor
restaurants in the US city of Denver.
Four of the eight councillors who were aware of the policies
elsewhere favoured these policies as they promoted a healthy climate, three
believed that they were unenforceable and had dubious results, and one had no
opinion. One councillor commented that smokefree Upper Hutt parks was “a
bold initiative without central government direction and had been supported by
the vast majority of the community.”
Perceived impacts of outdoor smoking on the
community—When asked to identify likely impacts of outdoor public
smoking on the community, most participants agreed that it would set an example
to children and youth (86%) and create litter (76%) (Figure 1). None explicitly
disagreed that outdoor smoking would set an example. Annoyance or anxiety in
non-smokers (57%), environmental pollution (including litter) (48%) and harm to
others’ health (38%) attracted less agreement.
Figure 1. Perceived impacts of outdoor smoking
on the community
![]() Responding to an open question about possible impacts, 10
(47%) of the councillors suggested further impacts of outdoor smoking. Negative
impacts included the normalisation of smoking, nuisance to others, fire hazard,
and damage to public assets (e.g. burn marks and discolouration). The potential
for fires from discarded butts was described by one as a “huge
problem.”
Three councillors explicitly reiterated concerns about
examples to children. One described public smoking as encouraging
“self-centred, inconsiderate behaviour.” Others mentioned that
outdoor smoking was an “ongoing advertisement to others that smoking is
still OK”, gave a “bad impression to tourists and visitors”,
and “looks and smells bad in doorways.”
Outdoor smoking was described as a nuisance to others
because it made it “less pleasant to exercise outdoors”, affected
“seating in [outdoor areas of] restaurants and cafes” and produced a
“noticeable impact of smoke from congregations of smokers.”
A further councillor suggested positive impacts; role
modelling of compliance with indoor smoking restrictions, and enhanced public
safety through vigilance of outdoor smokers.
Two councillors identified the social segregation of
non-smokers and smokers (through the association of smokers with outdoor dining
places) as an impact.
Support for outdoor smokefree
policies—There was some support for smokefree outdoor public
places; 11 (52%) of the councillors thought it would be a good idea to limit
outdoor smoking in some places, 5 (24%) disagreed, and 5 (24%) were
uncertain.
Those in favour of limiting smoking in some outdoor places
believed that this would reduce its negative impacts, denormalise smoking,
reduce population smoking rates, and allow non-smokers to enjoy outdoor
environments uncontaminated by smoke. Comments included “social smoke
contamination is a major problem for non-smokers—invading their personal
space”, “smoking outdoors has a wide range of negative
impacts”, “smoking should be limited everywhere, not just
indoors”, and “non-smokers have the right to a smokefree
environment/fresh air outside buildings.”
Those who disagreed felt that outdoor smokefree policies
would marginalise smokers, be unenforceable, and create tensions within the
public and that current indoor smoking restrictions are sufficient. Comments
included “smoking in outdoors is a matter of choice for the
individual”, “limiting smoking marginalises smokers’ human
rights”, and outdoor policies were “going too far—current
smokefree policies for indoors are adequate” and an “infringement on
smokers’ rights. Policies would be impossible to enforce.”
Those who expressed uncertainty were cautious about the
outcome of such policies. They suggested the need to balance the rights of
non-smokers and smokers by retaining places in which smoking would be
permitted.
When asked if councils had a role in forming outdoor
smokefree policies, there was less uncertainty. Eleven (52%) councillors agreed
that councils should intervene to limit smoking in some outdoor public places,
eight (38%) disagreed and two (10%) were uncertain. Those who favoured
intervention were non-smokers who felt that councils should limit outdoor
smoking for local benefit. Those who opposed council intervention were smokers
and non-smokers.
Reasons cited by the councillors who were opposed were
infringements on smokers’ rights and disliking a “nanny
state.” Two suggested that such change would be
“over-the-top—not part of council’s role, and over-regulating
people” and that it was “not the role of council to over-regulate
people’s lives.”
The supportive councillors felt that a national
outdoor smokefree policy was needed to avoid local inconsistencies, by moving
from educational policies to legislation. One suggested that the move to outdoor
smokefree policies could only be “only with the support from central
government to enforce and coordinate policies and legislation nationwide.”
There was a strong theme that “council has an
obligation to undertake leadership role on behalf of the community”,
“council should intervene to break the cycle” and that
“community leaders should set a good example.” Similar comments were
that councils have a role in “promoting public health”,
“protecting the community”, and creating “policies that could
benefit the community.” Two felt that councils should “designate
certain smokefree spaces”, for instance sports areas, and “declare
no-smoking events and where crowds are.” A particularly interesting
framing was that “smoking should be limited in the interest of
civilians.”
Figure 2. Opinions about which outdoor public
places should be smokefree
![]() There was greater support for particular smokefree
recreational areas [playgrounds (62%), sports grounds (57%), swimming pools
(57%)] and semi-enclosed arcades and walkways (57%). Only three councillors
(14%) explicitly disagreed with smokefree playgrounds. There was less support
for smokefree bus-stops and taxi-stops (48%), parks (38%), zones around doorways
and windows of buildings (38%), and certain streets or parts of streets (24%)
(Figure 2).
Eight councillors suggested other places that should be
smokefree: outdoor cafés, beaches, scenic attractions, railway stations,
the zoo, and the waterfront. One suggested as criteria for where there should be
such policies as “essentially where people are in a confined space for a
significant period of time and such smoke would create a nuisance.”
Perceived usefulness and practicability of outdoor
smokefree policies—Issues of usefulness and practicability
concerned many of the councillors. Ten (48%) agreed that policies for smokefree
outdoor public places were useful, but six (29%) disagreed. Only five (24%)
agreed that such policies could be implemented effectively, whereas seven (33%)
disagreed.
A supporting argument raised for the practicability of such
polices was that the “public willingly accepted smokefree
restaurants.” Two councillors suggested preconditions for policy
practicability, that policies have “wide public support” and
“central government support.” Another stated that the
“effectiveness [of policies] depends on which outdoor areas are
selected.”
Although several councillors added that educational policies
were unlikely to receive compliance, two believed that such policies could raise
awareness. One commented that “educational policies and bylaws could
complement each other—with education as a follow-up.”
In contrast, higher proportions were convinced of the
usefulness and practicability of bylaws for alcohol-free areas; 16 (76%)
councillors felt that these were useful and 2 (10%) disagreed; 14 (67%) agreed
that alcohol-free areas could be implemented effectively, but 3 (14%) disagreed.
One councillor commented that there exists “a difference in the public
mindset about the two substances”: smoking outdoors is more normalised
than alcohol consumption in outdoor public places.
Sixteen (76%) councillors cited potential difficulty in
enforcing outdoor smokefree bylaws. Seven (33%) cited the cost of signage as an
obstacle to implementation of outdoor smokefree policies, but 7 (52%) disagreed
(Figure 3). Some suggested that the obstacles could be overcome through
increasing awareness to gain widespread support from the public and
policymakers. However, 17 (81%) councillors perceived that outdoor smokefree
policies were likely to be opposed by certain groups, for example tobacco
manufacturers and smokers.
Figure 3. Perceived obstacles to outdoor
smokefree policies
![]() Seventeen (81%) councillors anticipated reservations towards
having outdoor smokefree bylaws due to enforcement difficulties. Thirteen (62%)
anticipated obstacles in council processes: lack of support due to concerns
about restricting freedom, competing priorities, limitations in monitoring
compliance, expensive consultation processes required to develop outdoor
smokefree policies, and perceptions that such policies required central
coordination.
Eighteen (86%) councillors suggested other issues of cost
and practicability, including: the cost of educational campaigns, limitations in
monitoring compliance in large areas, and competing priorities. One councillor
suggested “visual pollution” from smokefree signs.
Fourteen (67%) councillors suggested obstacles, including:
the conflict of bylaws with existing central legislation that permits outdoor
smoking, perception by some people that indoor smoking restrictions are
adequate, concerns about restricting freedom (“nanny state”) and the
potential backlash from smokers. Five cautioned that tobacco manufacturers would
almost certainly lobby against outdoor smokefree policies due to commercial
interest.
Suggestions for the development of outdoor smokefree
policies—When asked to suggest ideas that health promoters could
use to persuade decision-makers to develop policies to increase the number of
smokefree outdoor public places, most (90%) councillors contributed ideas,
ranging from general approaches and techniques to specific measures. The
councillors’ suggestions are mapped in Figure 4, giving the techniques
needed for four development approaches and the suggested measures, indicators
and evidence required.
Many suggestions involved advocacy. Some suggested
demonstrating with evidence the significant detriments of outdoor smoking, the
public support to limit this, and the favourable outcomes of existing outdoor
smokefree policies in New Zealand or abroad. A complementary approach would
involve campaigns, lobbying and public forums to gain support from the public
and policymakers.
Particular suggestions included creating “a logical,
persuasive argument”, emphasizing “the negative economic impacts of
smoking outdoors”, getting support from “health and community
organisations to gather numbers”, and precursor education
“campaigns, for instance TV ads, to create awareness—especially on
role modelling.”
One suggested trialling “smokefree policies in
selected parks—people are usually more willing to commit to a
trial.” Preliminary research on the problems from smoking in particular
places was also suggested—e.g. a “selected park where smoking is a
problem—interviewing park users and involving children.” It was
considered essential to “define carefully what [advocates] want from the
council” and to “provide cost estimates.”
An educational approach (using campaigns, advertising, and
smokefree signs) was suggested and preferred by some councillors over a
legislative approach (using bylaws, or a national policy on smoking or tobacco).
Some councillors suggested a transitional approach whereby educational policies
could be used to gradually denormalise smoking and maximise support for
legislation. Some argued that supportive measures for smoking cessation and
addiction recovery should complement smokefree policies.
Figure 4. Councillor suggestions for the
development for outdoor smokefree policies
![]() DiscussionThemes and policy implications—The
research provided previously unrecorded information on councillor knowledge and
attitudes, in a “policy frontier” area with major implications for
health. It helps trace the emergence of the theme of “role modelling of
smoking” as a driver for outdoor smokefree policy development,
supplementing existing drivers such as direct health harm, litter, and public
annoyance. It confirms, for the local government arena, the division of
policymaker opinion between support for smokers’ rights or
“choice”, and for a population’s rights to be
smokefree.19–23,42
The interviews revealed a range of opinions and knowledge
amongst the interviewees regarding outdoor smokefree policies. Many councillors
acknowledged a lack of information about the impacts of outdoor smoking,
highlighting the need for demonstrable evidence of such impacts to be reported
to the public and decision-makers.
The setting of negative examples to children and youth
attracted the most agreement as an impact of outdoor smoking. While there is
some research evidence on the example of smokers on smoking uptake
risk,9,10,19–23 this may be one of the
first research descriptions of policymakers recognising this risk.
Negative role modelling and the normalisation of smoking
appeared to be of greater concern than environmental or direct health impacts.
There was clear support for smokefree policies for public playgrounds, sports
grounds and outdoor swimming pools.
Aside from perceptions about the impacts of outdoor
smoking, other factors critically influenced councillor support for such
policies. Many councillors were concerned that smokefree outdoor policies be
demonstrated to have widespread public support.
These councillors appeared unaware of New Zealand surveys of
public attitudes. In 2007, 69% agreed with the statement “smoking should
be banned in all outdoor places that children are likely to
go,”43p.10 and 76% said it was not
acceptable to smoke at outdoor children’s playgrounds. Fifty-one percent
said that smoking at sports fields was “not at all” acceptable, with
only 16% saying it was alright to smoke anywhere at sports
grounds.43p.10 Opinion on smokefree sports
fields had changed since 2003, when the respective figures were 35% and
34%.44p.58
Perceptions differed about whether outdoor smokefree
policies, if introduced, ought to be regulated by councils or the central
government. Some councillors favoured nationwide coordination to avoid conflicts
with central legislation. For some, the need to protect children’s rights
via policies for smokefree outdoor places, and the need to avoid restrictions on
smokers’ freedom, were in apparent conflict.
Smokefree playgrounds attracted the most support from the
councillors, in line with majority concerns about role modelling as an impact of
outdoor smoking. Smokefree sports grounds and swimming pools attracted some
agreement, perhaps indicating some belief that unhealthy behaviours should be
excluded from recreational places promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Knowledge about existing outdoor smokefree policies was
generally limited. This highlights the need for studies of outdoor smokefree
policies in New Zealand or overseas, and for outcomes such as smoking
prevalence, compliance and public support to be measured. Trials of outdoor
smokefree policies in selected places would be useful; moreover, it was
suggested that the public might be more receptive to policies that had been
trialled.
Of the arguments available for advocates of smokefree
outdoor places, those that focus on children may be the strongest. Besides the
evidence above of public support for smokefree playgrounds and other places
where children are likely to go, virtually no parents and few smokers want
children to start smoking. What may need to be demonstrated to some is the extra
risk of such smoking uptake, when there is normalisation due to public outdoor
smoking.9,10
A multifaceted approach to policy
development—Based on the themes and issues raised by the
councillors, it is suggested that a combination of approaches could be
incorporated in developing outdoor smokefree policies. Crucial elements of
advocacy and education include, for example: evidence of normalisation to
children from outdoor smoking; favourable outcomes of trials or existing
policies in New Zealand and abroad; campaigns, lobbying, petitions, and the
evidence of public and community organisation support—as shown in Figure
4. This broad policy development approach45 is
supported by empirical evidence from health advocacy
efforts.46,47
In light of anticipated opposition to the implementation of
outdoor smokefree bylaws and the preference indicated by some for educational
policies over legislation, a transitional approach could be incorporated. This
would involve the gradual denormalisation of smoking through education, so as to
maximise support for existing smokefree legislation to be extended to outdoor
places.
Limitations and future research—The
study had some limitations. Due to the nature of the opportunistic sampling,
only 21 councillors from three councils were interviewed. The sample size may
have limited the range of opinions and knowledge, hence the results may not be
generalisable to councillors in the region or in New Zealand.
For further research, the sample could be extended to
include local and national policymakers across New Zealand. Moreover, future
research could further explore the views and knowledge of the public about
outdoor smokefree policies, and assess the outcomes of trials of such policies
in New Zealand or overseas.
ConclusionMost councillors interviewed wanted smokefree playgrounds
and agreed that outdoor smoking sets an example to children. A combination of
advocacy, educational, and legislative approaches to the development of outdoor
smokefree policies appear to be needed to advance the denormalisation of outdoor
public smoking in New Zealand. Further research would help establish local and
national support for a variety of outdoor smokefree policies for use across New
Zealand.
Competing interests: None known.
Author information: Sharon Tay, Medical
Student, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin;
George Thomson, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Public Health, University
of Otago, Wellington
Acknowledgments: This research has been
generously supported by a summer studentship grant from the Wellington Medical
Research Foundation (Inc.) in 2007/2008. We thank all study participants for
their kind contributions of time and ideas, and the reviewers for their very
constructive suggestions.
Correspondence: George Thomson, Department
of Public Health, Te Tari Hauora Tumatanui, University of Otago, Box 7343
Wellington South, New Zealand. Fax: +64 (0)4 3895319; email: george.thomson@otago.ac.nz
References:
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