Public support for anti-smoking legislation varies with smoking status

Rural Australians have higher rates of smoking than their urban counterparts, contributing to poorer health outcomes. In 2004, the Queensland Government introduced legislation to reduce the impact of environmental tobacco smoke on the community. The aims of the study were to describe smoking behaviours and associations between smoking behaviour and agreement with current anti-smoking laws.

A total of 1208 people over the age of 18 years and living in rural, remote and very remote central Queensland participated in this telephone survey.

About 22% (n = 130) of female and 21% of male (n = 125) participants identified themselves as smokers. No difference existed between the mean age of smokers (47.3 years) and non-smokers (47.1 years). While there is high level of support for smoking restrictions in public places (75%), attitudes vary with smoking status. Smokers were less likely than smokers to agree that the legislation would create a healthier environment, reduce exposure to passive smoking or agree that 'it is right to ban smoking in public places'. Smokers were significantly more likely to agree that the legislation had gone too far.

The gradual implementation of the anti-smoking legislation is changing social beliefs on what are acceptable smoking practices. It is likely that the legislation within Queensland and the subsequent forced changes in social conditions for smokers will continue to reduce the number of people smoking and reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.