Beyond the Playground: Smokefree Public Outdoor Areas and Local Government NZ Tobacco Conference Auckland Nov 2010 Presented by : Martin Witt (Cancer Society, West Coast and Christchurch) Heather Kimber (Community and Public Health, Canterbury District Health Board)

Rationale for Smokefree parks and playgrounds Provides a positive role model to young people and children Encourages those who choose to smoke to be responsible and not smoke around children Based on voluntary approach, not legislative or mandatory “ We know, however that children tend to copy what they observe and are influenced by the normality and extent of smoking around them ” (Thomson G, Wilson N, Edwards R and Woodward A; BMJ 2008;337:a2806 “Head to Head, Should smoking in outside public spaces be banned? Yes”) It is NOT about banning smoking and ‘demonising’ smokers

Local Government and Public Health Public Health Long term Attitudes Behaviour Social norms Outcome driven Local Govt Short -mid term Accountability to ratepayers Operational Results focused LTCCP’s Health and wellbeing of communities Smokefree Vision 2020

Evaluation challenges Evaluation needs to satisfy both Public Health and Local Government – the “overlap” area Council baseline survey 3 months after adoption of policy (independent research company). Repeated in % were aware of the policy 44% thought it now illegal to smoke in parks Focus groups (smokers and youth) Public acceptability for extensions

International experiences New settings and new audiences Growing evidence

Making it happen in New Zealand Growing numbers of local councils now adopting SF outdoor policies Clear vision in 2020 that can resonate with local authorities Need to evaluate work to date carefully How will rationale sit with public ? Partnership and good communication is critical