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Phased in smoke‐free workplace laws: impact in grass‐roots pubs and clubs in South Australia
Author(s) -
Miller Caroline L.,
Hickling Jacqueline A.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he07026
Subject(s) - club , smoke , tobacco industry , community health , telephone survey , telephone interview , law , business , political science , engineering , advertising , health care , medicine , sociology , social science , anatomy , waste management
Issue addressed Smoke‐free workplace laws with phase‐in provisions for licensed bar and gaming venues are being rolled‐out across Australia. This study investigates grass‐roots industry reactions after the first phase of implementation in South Australia and compares them with views of patrons who smoke. Methods Two surveys were conducted with bar and club managers of randomly selected licensed venues in South Australia. The first survey (baseline) was conducted in November 2004 (n=500; by telephone). The second survey (phase 1) was conducted in May 2005 (n=357; in person including site inspection). Community support was assessed in a telephone survey conducted in 2005 (n=2,004). Results In 2005, more than half supported the smoking bans planned for 2007 and up to 75% supported the phase‐in provisions (for 2005–07). By 2005, 90.7% recognised it was important to provide a smoke‐free environment for staff, but one‐third were under the mistaken impression that phase‐in measures offered health protection. Attempted compliance was very high and, for most, not an effort or financial burden. Verified compliance was fair, although lower than self‐report due to confusion about rules for smoking and non‐smoking areas. When the views of bar and club managers were compared with community views, collected in a separate survey, it was found that bar and club managers substantially under‐estimated community support for impending total smoke‐free laws, due in November 2007. Conclusions Grass‐roots industry support for smoke‐free laws is considerable and higher than industry comments might imply, but somewhat lesser than community support. Attempted compliance is fair, despite confusion about details. So what? Clear and consistent communication from authorities is essential if smoke‐free bar laws are being phased‐in. There is potential to promote smoke‐free bar laws with industry by highlighting worker safety benefits and community support.