The Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Act 2011 (the Amendment Act) amended the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 to prohibit the display of tobacco products at any sales outlet.1 The provision came into force on 23 July 2012.
To regularly monitor public opinion about tobacco control, respondents in the 2008, 2010, and 2012 Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) answered a question on their opinion on the removal of tobacco displays. In 2012, the survey was in the field between May and July 2012, overlapping with the introduction of the amendment.
Methodology
To regularly monitor public opinion about tobacco control and aid the development of appropriate health promotion strategies, respondents in the 2008, 2010, and 2012 Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) answered a question on their opinion on the removal of tobacco displays. In 2012, the survey was in the field between May and July 2012, overlapping with the introduction of the amendment. Responses to this question were compared by smoking status (current smokers: those who smoked at least monthly, ex-smokers, and never smokers), ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation status, age, gender, and educational background. Statistically significant differences by group (p < .05) are reported.
Key Results
- In 2012, around seven in 10 New Zealand adults agreed that there should be a complete ban of displays of cigarettes and tobacco inside of shops. Different response patterns by smoking status, ethnicity, and educational background were found.
- Levels of agreement have remained high for the period of observation.
- There was a small but significant increase in the proportion of New Zealand adults agreeing with this between 2010 and 2012.