The Australian journal of rural health
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Aust J Rural Health · Jul 2008
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. ⋯ 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.