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PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SMOKEFREE WORKPLACES |
Independent research consistently shows a large and growing majority of public opinion favours the speedy implementation of indoor smoke bans in workplaces. Just some of the research is shown below.
AUSTRALIA:
Majority
say bans are too slow See
“Australians and Smoking", Stollznow
study, June 2005
June
2005: A
large majority of Australians want faster and tighter bans in licensed venues,
says latest survey.
- 65% feel the smoke bans are too slow.
- 64% say it’s “unacceptable” for up to 75%-enclosed rooms to be called “outdoor” and allow smoking.
National
review of polls shows surging
support for smokefree pubs and clubs
A review of opinion
surveys (June 2003) shows support in Australia for total smoke bans in hospitality venues
has surged by almost 20% over the past decade - and is now consistently in
overwhelming majority proportions. The authors of the review say total bans are
"overdue" and governments have no excuses for further delay. See
our media release
The public overwhelmingly
supports totally smokefree workplaces
2001: latest Household
Drug Survey 2001 (27,000 Australians), confirms public opinion is way ahead
of government action. The survey shows:
- 81.1%
support for banning smoking in the workplace;
- 60.8%
backing for smoke-free pubs and clubs.
Vic:
Survey shows 70% support for smokefree venues; 80% for smokefree gaming
Public support for smokefree
hospitality venues continues to climb, says latest research from Victoria. Among
Victorian adults from 2000-2003, over three-quarters of the sample agreed with
the most recent legislative amendments restricting smoking in licensed and
gambling venues; seven out of ten approved of smoking bans in bars and
nightclubs in 2003, while 80% supported bans in gambling venues; increasing
smokefree support among both smokers and non-smokers. Less than half of smokers
reported disapproval of smoking bans in bars, only a third reported disapproval
of bans in nightclubs, and less than a quarter disapproved of bans in gaming
venues in 2003. The authors conclude that "only total smoking bans will
fully protect patrons and staff from the hazards of exposure to tobacco
smoke." See study
by Durkin,
S et al (2004), CBRC
SA:
Poll shows almost 75% support for immediate ban - higher among 18-24yrs
Nearly 75% of South Australians
want total smoke bans in hotels and gaming rooms, according to a survey in the
Adelaide Advertiser (Oct 2003). 72% of respondents say it should be immediate; only 27% want
a March 2005 deadline; none support 2010 as proposed by the Australian Hotels
Association. And making nonsense of the AHA predictions of a "youth
rebellion", support is highest (95%) in the 18-24 age group. Adelaide
Advertiser, 20/10/03, p.8 Despite this, the SA government
decided on a late-2007 deadline - rejecting almost 100% of public opinion!
NSW:
Survey shows two-thirds majority support - and growing
A new study in NSW (Oct 2003) showing two-thirds majority support for total smoke bans in pubs and clubs - the
authors calling for immediate legislation to ban smoking in all indoor drinking
and gaming rooms. See SmokeFree
'03 release
WA:
Poll confirms public wants smokefree venues
WA Healthway public opinion survey (Feb 2003) shows
95% popular support for tighter smoking bans in pubs, clubs and entertainment
areas; also people attracted by smoke bans outnumber those deterred by almost
three to one. View
the study...
See
the release...
AHA
survey finds patrons biggest complaint is: bars too smoky
The Australian Hotels Association (Vic) commissioned a survey of patrons to
find out about the main weaknesses of pubs and hotels. The main weakness was: too
smoky (24%). Sweeney Research, AHA (Vic).
Pub and club managers concerned about health risks, accept bans inevitable
Almost 70% of pub and club
managers in NSW are concerned about health effects of smoky venues on workers
and patrons - and 72% see total indoor bans as inevitable, says a 2004 study. The
findings, released by The National Heart Foundation of Australia (a SmokeFree Australia
partner), contrast strongly with the position being
put by the Australian Hotels Association (NSW) and Clubs NSW to the government -
a position which barely mentions health, and says
venues need more time. See Heart
Foundation release and major
findings of the study.
Even surveys by tobacco companies show strong support for bans
An Auspoll national survey of 2000 people found that 89% of people would go
more often, or make no difference, if hotel bars were smokefree. Philip Morris,
Auspoll, 2000.
WORLD:
NZ
public support for pub smoke ban grows to 82%
2/10/06: Almost two years after New Zealand banned
smoking from indoor areas of pubs and clubs, public support for the move has
grown to a massive 82%, says a new poll. And support among smokers has grown to
64%. See media
report 2/10/06
Italians
love their new smokefree laws
26/8/05:
Six months after new smokefree laws in
Italy's bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants took effect, there has been high
compliance and strong public support - as there has been all over the world
where such laws have been enacted. See
report
26/8/05