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Smokefree private cars: Attitudes and arguments March 2009, Mumbai

George Thomson,George Thomson,

Nick Wilson, Dylan Tapp

Department of Public Health, Department of Public Health,

University of Otago, WellingtonUniversity of Otago, Wellington

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Introduction Dangers of smoking in cars – higher fine Dangers of smoking in cars – higher fine

particulate levels than smoky barsparticulate levels than smoky bars

11+ state/province jurisdictions that ban 11+ state/province jurisdictions that ban smoking in private vehicles containing smoking in private vehicles containing kidskids

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Need for intervention: exposure 22-26% of adults exposed to SHS in 22-26% of adults exposed to SHS in

cars (Canada, NZ 2003-7)cars (Canada, NZ 2003-7)

Up to 48% of students in some US Up to 48% of students in some US states (2002-6) states (2002-6)

Over 30% of smokers smoke when Over 30% of smokers smoke when others are in their car, in 7 European others are in their car, in 7 European countries countries (Austria, Spain, Cyprus, Ireland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania)(Austria, Spain, Cyprus, Ireland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania)

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Experience and alternatives

South AustraliaSouth Australia: In first year of : In first year of smokefree car law (2007-8), only 125 smokefree car law (2007-8), only 125 fined, 38 cautioned, out of fined, 38 cautioned, out of 222,000 222,000 drivers pulled over (< 1:1000). drivers pulled over (< 1:1000).

Social marketing campaigns for Social marketing campaigns for smokefree cars: Canada, NZ, NSW, smokefree cars: Canada, NZ, NSW, Western AustraliaWestern Australia

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Aim Aim

To review attitudes and arguments to To review attitudes and arguments to smokefree private car lawssmokefree private car laws

MethodMethod Attitudes: Medline, Google Scholar Attitudes: Medline, Google Scholar

searchessearches

Arguments: Factiva search, interviewsArguments: Factiva search, interviews

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Results: Attitudes to smokefree car laws

15 studies found (1988-2008)15 studies found (1988-2008)

From Canada, UK, NZ, & 7 states and From Canada, UK, NZ, & 7 states and provinces in Australia and Nth Americaprovinces in Australia and Nth America

Support for smokefree car laws dependant Support for smokefree car laws dependant on presence of childrenon presence of children

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Results: Attitudes to smokefree car laws

Increasing public and smoker support over Increasing public and smoker support over timetime

Very high public support (if children Very high public support (if children present) in 6 studies since 2005 (76% to present) in 6 studies since 2005 (76% to 96%)96%)

High support from High support from smokerssmokers (if children (if children present) in 5 studies since 2005 (77%+)present) in 5 studies since 2005 (77%+)

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Arguments about smokefree cars

‘‘Invasion of privacy’/precedents Invasion of privacy’/precedents (seatbelts, mobile phone bans)(seatbelts, mobile phone bans)

‘‘Social marketing more Social marketing more appropriate’appropriate’

‘‘Not a high priority’ compared to Not a high priority’ compared to other tobacco interventionsother tobacco interventions

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Arguments Arguments forfor smokefree car laws smokefree car laws

PlacePlace of highest SHS hazard of highest SHS hazard

For child related laws:For child related laws: Children less able to avoid SHS than adultsChildren less able to avoid SHS than adults

Feasible, practical, smoker supportFeasible, practical, smoker support

International treaty obligation (International treaty obligation (Convention Convention on Rights of the Childon Rights of the Child))

Social marketing may not protect the most in Social marketing may not protect the most in needneed

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Conclusions Precedents for laws re cars with childrenPrecedents for laws re cars with children

High public support in some jurisdictionsHigh public support in some jurisdictions

Challenge: Laws to protect adults in carsChallenge: Laws to protect adults in cars

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Further informationFurther information

Thomson G, Wilson N. Public attitudes to laws for smokefree Thomson G, Wilson N. Public attitudes to laws for smokefree private vehicles: A brief review. private vehicles: A brief review. Tob ControlTob Control. 2008:Online . 2008:Online publication, December 2008.publication, December 2008.

george.thomson@otago.ac.nzgeorge.thomson@otago.ac.nz