Support for a smoke-free bylaw in parks and on beaches

Abstract

These findings suggest strong public support in Vancouver for the smoke-free bylaw in parks and on beaches. Jurisdictions considering such legislation should address attitudes which can promote or hinder its adoption. Examination of such policy support on diverse groups within the population may enhance the development of equitable public health policy.

Support for Indoor Bans on Electronic Cigarettes among Current and Former Smokers

“…Moreover, once bans are implemented, support for restrictions also increases among current smokers [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Although a greater proportion of non-smokers support indoor and outdoor smoking bans [ 10 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], some recent evidence indicates that the majority of smokers support indoor bans [ 16 ]. Moreover, support for smoke-free laws is positively associated with quit attempts [ 17 ].…”

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

“…For example, a recent Canadian study found very strong parental and caregiver support for smoke-free polices in playgrounds to reduce potential health risks associated with SHS exposure among children [13]. However, our park user telephone survey suggested that park users in Vancouver differed regarding support for the bylaw by smoking status, gender, ethno-cultural affiliation, education, and marital status [43]. That is, smokers were less supportive of the bylaw; women were significantly more likely to support the bylaw; individuals from various visible minority groups were significantly more likely to support the law than those of White or European Ancestry; and those with a university degree were significantly more likely to support the law as compared to those with a high school degree or lower.…”

“…Beliefs regarding the bylaw were that it would: improve the health of people in the city (total = 82 %, nonsmokers= 86 % vs. smokers = 43 %); protect the health of non-smokers, including children who visit parks and beaches (total = 83 %, nonsmokers = 86 % vs. smokers = 56 %); encourage people to quit smoking (Total = 49 %, nonsmokers = 52 % vs. smokers = 22 %); discourage youth from starting smoking (Total = 49 %, nonsmokers = 50 % vs. smokers = 33 %), infringe on the right of smokers (total = 42 %, nonsmokers = 39 % vs. smokers = 71 %); and protect people from exposure to secondhand smoke (total = 84 %, nonsmokers = 88 % vs. smokers = 52 %) [43]. Women were significantly more likely than men to believe that the bylaw would protect the health of nonsmokers (including children) who visit parks and beaches (64.1 % vs. 35.9 %) and protect people from exposure to secondhand smoke (63.6 % vs. 36.4 %).…”

“…Support for the bylaw varied by sex, self-identified ethnicity, education and marital status. Females were significantly more likely to support the bylaw than were males (aOR = 2.8, 95 % CI = 1.5-5.1); individuals from different visible minority groups were significantly more likely to support the law than those from White or European Ancestry (aOR = 2.1, 95 % CI = 1.0-5.0); and those with a university degree were significantly more likely to support the law as compared to those with a high school degree or lower (aOR = 2.5, 95 % CI = 1.1-5.5) [43]. Never married individuals were significantly less likely to support the law than those who were married (aOR = 0.5, 95 % CI = 0.2-1.0) [43].…”

“…About three-quarters agreed that the bylaw could increase negative attitudes or stigma towards smokers. Smokers were significantly more likely to voice concerns that the bylaw infringes smokers’ rights (71 % vs. 39 %) [43]. Thus survey respondents, particularly if they were smokers, recognized potential negative consequences.…”