Effect of smoke-free policies on the behaviour of social smokers

Abstract

Objective-To test the hypothesis that proposed amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act making all enclosed workplaces in Western Australia smoke free would result in a decrease in cigarette consumption by patrons at nightclubs, pubs, and restaurants without adversely aVecting attendance. Design-Cross sectional structured interview survey. Participants and setting-Patrons of several inner city pubs and nightclubs in Perth were interviewed while queuing for admission to these venues. Outcome measures-Current social habits, smoking habits, and how these might be aVected by the proposed regulations. Persons who did not smoke daily were classified as "social smokers." Results-Half (50%) of the 374 patrons interviewed were male, 51% currently did not smoke at all, 34.3% smoked every day, and the remaining 15.7% smoked, but not every day. A clear majority (62.5%) of all 374 respondents anticipated no change to the frequency of their patronage of hospitality venues if smoke-free policies became mandatory. One in five (19.3%) indicated that they would go out more often, and 18.2% said they would go out less often. Half (52%) of daily smokers anticipated no change to their cigarette consumption, while 44.5% of daily smokers anticipated a reduction in consumption. A majority of social smokers (54%) predicted a reduction in their cigarette consumption, with 42% of these anticipating quitting. Conclusions-One in nine (11.5%) of smokers say that adoption of smoke-free policies would prompt them to quit smoking entirely without a significant decrease in attendance at pubs and nightclubs. There can be few other initiatives as simple, cheap, and popular that would achieve so much for public health. (Tobacco Control 1999;8:278-281)

The effect of a smoke‐free law on restaurant business in South Australia

“…39 Increasing restrictions on smoking in restaurants, hotels and nightclubs, can be expected to further reduce opportunities to smoke. 40 In May 2001 in Australia, a non-smoking bar worker was awarded damages for laryngeal cancer caused by exposure to passive smoking in a Returned and Services League (RSL) club. 41 This case has resulted in considerably heightened interest and action on the part of many RSL clubs and other bars, and many now see legislative action in this area as inevitable.…”

Second‐hand smoke at work: The exposure, perceptions and attitudes of bar and restaurant workers to environmental tobacco smoke

“…[20][21][22][23][24] The fears of those in the New Zealand hospitality industry could be addressed by research on the successful local smoke-free licensed premises, by prospective research on patronage expectations if there was a smoking ban and by fuller knowledge of the overseas research and experience. 25,26 The experience of the South Australia, Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales bans on smoking in restaurants may be particularly useful because of the similar legislative and social environment. Such information, if widely disseminated, could change the expectation by most interviewees of decreased patronage.…”

Characteristics of Social Smoking Among College Students

“…Discussions at sessions at recent tobacco and health conferences, [6][7][8] as well as results reported in recent articles in the literature, 7,[9][10][11] indicate that there is a newly recognized phenomenon of social smoking among young adult cigarette smokers. Many college health professionals report having students say "I only smoke when I go out" or "I only smoke socially," in response to smoking status questions.…”

“…Social smoking among college students has been defined as those who smoke more commonly with others rather than alone. 7,11 Other definitions of social smoking in the literature include those who smoke almost exclusively in social situations, 6 those who smoke only in social situations, 8 those who smoke a large proportion of their cigarettes when they go out to "hospitality venues," 10 and those who smoke only at festivities. 17 These definitions indicate that social smoking is a situational event involving others; therefore, in this study, we define social smokers as those who most commonly smoke while partying or socializing.…”