Refining compliance surveys to measure the smokefree status of jurisdictions using the Delphi method

Compliance assessment surveys are cost-effective means of assessing smokefree status in a jurisdiction. Assigning weights to assessment criteria (indicators) can also inform law implementers and policy makers about the effectiveness of the enforcement of smokefree rules.

To develop a standardised measure for compliance surveys using the Delphi method in India.

Tobacco control experts from India comprising different constituencies and jurisdictions met for a half-day workshop in August 2012 to deliberate on how weights can be assigned to criteria for smokefree status. Using the Delphi method, the relevance and ranking of criteria from an existing protocol for measuring compliance was evaluated.

Consensus was reached on all five compliance survey indicators through three rigorous rounds of discussion. The highest priority was assigned to the absence of the act of smoking in public places (33%), followed by the display of no-smoking signage in public places (32%), absence of cigarette butts or bidi stubs (15%), absence of smoking aids (10%) and absence of tobacco smoke and ash (10%).

Tobacco control advocates can effectively inform local policy makers using weights that prioritise directed enforcement and targeted interventions, which in turn will ensure stronger compliance and sustainable smokefree settings.