Smoking on the margins: a comprehensive analysis of a municipal outdoor smoke-free policy

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examined the formulation, adoption, and implementation of a ban on smoking in the parks and beaches in Vancouver, Canada.MethodsInformed by Critical Multiplism, we explored the policy adoption process, support for and compliance with a local bylaw prohibiting smoking in parks and on beaches, experiences with enforcement, and potential health equity issues through a series of qualitative and quantitative studies.ResultsFindings suggest that there was unanimous support for the introduction of the bylaw among policy makers, as well as a high degree of positive public support. We observed that smoking initially declined following the ban’s implementation, but that smoking practices vary in parks by location. We also found evidence of different levels of enforcement and compliance between settings, and between different populations of park and beach users.ConclusionsOverall success with the implementation of the bylaw is tempered by potential increases in health inequities because of variable enforcement of the ban; greatest levels of smoking appear to continue to occur in the least advantaged areas of the city. Jurisdictions developing such policies need to consider how to allocate sufficient resources to enhance voluntary compliance and ensure that such bylaws do not contribute to health inequities.

Surveying all outdoor smokefree signage in contrasting suburbs: methods and results

“…Such a problem has been identified previously for New Zealand schools 14 and variable compliance has been described for smokefree parks in Vancouver, Canada. 15 The results also suggest statistically significant poorer levels of smokefree signage in the more deprived suburb in terms of children's play areas (which are covered by City Council smokefree policies). Such inequality in creating a supportive environment is problematic, given the critical need to address the tobacco-related inequalities in New Zealand.…”

Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke at Airport Terminals

“…Although the movement of smoking areas further away from pedestrian traffic may be an effective measure in the short term, lasting benefits to public health are best achieved through smoke-free legislation [42]. However, despite progress in the enactment of comprehensive indoor smoking bans in many localities, outdoor bans have lagged behind, with controversy surrounding both the legality [43] as well as the effectiveness [44–46] of such ordinances, even if the hazardous nature of outdoor SHS has now been fully established [47]. Nevertheless, it is being increasingly recognized that “outdoor smoking is an important area for advancing smoke-free policy” [33], and calls for total, premise-wide bans in the airport setting are gaining in traction.…”

Attitudinal and behavioural responses to increasing tobacco control regulation among high smoking prevalence groups: A qualitative study

“…To address inequitable consequences of the policy, especially among people experiencing homelessness who have fewer alternative smoking location options, local governments could consult with smoking cessation services and community service organisations to identify how to best provide information and support during the implementation of the policy. Phase‐in initiatives may also be appropriate, such as when local governments that are enforcing new bans offer cessation information and support in place of fines that may increase financial disadvantage .…”