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Smokefree private cars: Attitudes and arguments March 2009, Mumbai. George Thomson, Nick Wilson, Dylan Tapp Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington. Introduction.
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Smokefree private cars: Attitudes and arguments March 2009, Mumbai George Thomson, Nick Wilson, Dylan Tapp Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington
Introduction • Dangers of smoking in cars – higher fine particulate levels than smoky bars • 11+ state/province jurisdictions that ban smoking in private vehicles containing kids
Need for intervention: exposure • 22-26% of adults exposed to SHS in cars (Canada, NZ 2003-7) • Up to 48% of students in some US states (2002-6) • Over 30% of smokers smoke when others are in their car, in 7 European countries (Austria, Spain, Cyprus, Ireland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania)
Experience and alternatives • South Australia: In first year of smokefree car law (2007-8), only 125 fined, 38 cautioned, out of 222,000 drivers pulled over (< 1:1000). • Social marketing campaigns for smokefree cars: Canada, NZ, NSW, Western Australia
Aim • To review attitudes and arguments to smokefree private car laws Method • Attitudes: Medline, Google Scholar searches • Arguments: Factiva search, interviews
Results: Attitudes to smokefree car laws • 15 studies found (1988-2008) • From Canada, UK, NZ, & 7 states and provinces in Australia and Nth America • Support for smokefree car laws dependant on presence of children
Results: Attitudes to smokefree car laws • Increasing public and smoker support over time • Very high public support (if children present) in 6 studies since 2005 (76% to 96%) • High support from smokers (if children present) in 5 studies since 2005 (77%+)
Arguments about smokefree cars • ‘Invasion of privacy’/precedents (seatbelts, mobile phone bans) • ‘Social marketing more appropriate’ • ‘Not a high priority’ compared to other tobacco interventions
Arguments for smokefree car laws • Place of highest SHS hazard • For child related laws: • Children less able to avoid SHS than adults • Feasible, practical, smoker support • International treaty obligation (Convention on Rights of the Child) • Social marketing may not protect the most in need
Conclusions • Precedents for laws re cars with children • High public support in some jurisdictions • Challenge: Laws to protect adults in cars
Further information Thomson G, Wilson N. Public attitudes to laws for smokefree private vehicles: A brief review. Tob Control. 2008:Online publication, December 2008. george.thomson@otago.ac.nz