Changes in smoking behaviours following a smokefree legislation in parks and on beaches: an observational study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of an outdoor smokefree law in parks and on beaches on observed smoking in selected venues.MethodsThe study involved repeated observations in selected parks and beaches in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The main outcome measure was changes in observed smoking rates in selected venues from prelaw to 12 months postlaw.ResultsNo venue was 100% smokefree at the 12-month postlaw observation time point. There was a significant decrease in observed smoking rates in all venues from prelaw to 12-month postlaw (prelaw mean smoking rate=20.5 vs 12-month mean smoking rate=4.7, p=0.04). In stratified analysis by venue, the differences between the prelaw and 12-month smoking rates decreased significantly in parks (prelaw mean smoking rate=37.1 vs 12-month mean smoking rate=6.5, p=0.01) but not in beaches (prelaw mean smoking rate=2.9 vs 12-month mean smoking rate=1.0, p=0.1).ConclusionsSmokefree policies in outdoor recreational venues have the potential to decrease smoking in these venues. The effectiveness of such policies may differ by the type and usage of the venue; for instance, compliance may be better in venues that are used more often and have enforcement. Future studies may further explore factors that limit and foster the enforcement of such policies in parks and beaches.

Smoke-free parks and beaches: an interrupted time-series study of behavioural impact in New York City

“…Taken together with previous studies,6 7 these results show that smoke-free air laws in outdoor public spaces can be effective and durable. Such policies could offer jurisdictions a simple strategy for reducing exposure to tobacco pollutants (ie, smoke and litter) in outdoor areas.…”

Compliance with smoke-free legislation and smoking behaviour: observational field study from Punjab, India

“…Okoli et al , in their study in Canada, studied the effect of an outdoor smoke-free law in parks and on beaches and reported that there was a significant decrease in observed smoking rates in all venues from prelaw to 12 months post law. 13 Chapman et al estimate the contribution of smoke-free workplaces to the declines in cigarette consumption in Australia and the USA. They reported that smoke-free workplaces are currently responsible for an annual reduction of 602 million cigarettes.…”

Smoking in outdoor areas of bars and cafés: Large differences between midday and evening prevalences

“…While there has been some published observation of the prevalence of smoking in outdoor areas such as parks, streets, hospital grounds, stadia, near public doorways and on university campuses in North America, England and Australasia (Jancey et al, 2014;Okoli, Johnson, Pederson, Adkins, & Rice, 2013;Thomson, Russell, Jenkin, Patel, & Wilson, 2013), there have been only two studies of the smoking prevalence outside bars/cafés, both in Australia. One study, of a 'purposive sample of 20 pubs and bars within a 7-km radius of the centre' of Melbourne, involving observations on Friday and Saturdays during 7-12 pm, recorded a smoking prevalence of 6.2% and 7.3% before and after the introduction of smokefree indoor policies in 2007 (Brennan et al, 2010).…”