Behaviours and opinions towards outdoor smoking bans and cigarette littering in Baja California, Mexico

Abstract

Outdoor smoking is still frequent in outdoor areas where people gather, and an important source of littering. We found substantial public support towards the outdoor smoking ban, which should translate into easier implementation and compliance in Baja California, Mexico.

Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors about Cigarette-Butt Littering among College-Aged Adults in the United States

“…This is similar to numbers reported in other studies. Basto-Abreu et al asked smokers in urban areas of Baja California, Mexico how many out of every ten cigarettes they toss to the ground [34]. Self-reports were that they littered 45% of cigarette butts they smoked.…”

Littering behaviour: A systematic review

“…(2014) conducted an observational study in New Zealand and found that 84% of the people who smoke at bus and train stations, litter their cigarette butts even though trash bins are available and in sight. A study in a developing country (i.e., Mexico) found that a smoking ban was not effective in reducing cigarette littering in open public places, such as parks and beaches (Basto‐Abreu et al., 2016). This suggests that cigarette butt littering is a problem faced in both developing and developed countries and that the solutions are unfortunately not as straightforward as simply imposing smoking bans.…”

“…Basto‐Abreu et al. (2016) examined the effects of a smoking ban in Mexico and found that the ban was generally ineffective in reducing cigarette butt littering. A study in Ghana suggests that an already littered environment and the lack of authorities’ interest are the main reasons for increased littering (Van Dyck et al., 2016).…”

“…However, administrative factors have not always resulted in the reduction of littering behaviour. For instance, a smoking ban in Mexico was not effective in reducing cigarette littering (Basto‐Abreu et al., 2016).…”

“…In addition, even when placing bans in developing countries, actions have lacked enforcement and thus have been ineffective. For example, Mexico's ban on cigarette butt littering was ineffective in reducing the behaviour (Basto‐Abreu et al., 2016). Hence, governments need to structure the implementation process of policies and properly enforce them by improving the structural facilities and creating awareness amongst people, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.…”