Letter - Community perceptions of smoking bans in NSW licensed venues

Abstract

Environmental tobacco smoke increases the risk of lung cancer and coronary heart disease, as well as causing irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. In recent years it has become clear that the only way to protect non-smokers from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in indoor areas is by eliminating smoking in those areas. In 2004 the New South Wales (NSW) Government announced that smoking in the indoor areas of licensed premises would be phased out by July 2007. The reason for this decision was to protect workers and patrons in these venues from the detrimental health effects of prolonged exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. At the same time, NSW Health conducted a study to monitor community attitudes to the phased introduction of smoking bans in these venues between 2003 and 2007 to gauge public understanding and acceptance of the government action and inform policy roll out. In combination with other data these surveys provide a powerful tool for health policy development.