Smoke-free places

There is legislation in all states and territories that requires workplaces to be smoke-free, and in all states smokers are not allowed to smoke in cars with children (the age limit varies from 16 to 18 years old). In some hospitals and other health services, smoking is banned on the entire grounds.

Studies have shown that making workplaces, homes and cars smoke-free:

• decreases the numbers of cigarettes that people smoke;
• increases the quit attempts that smokers make;
• reduces the number of relapses that smokers have;
• increases the numbers of people who quit;
• decreases the exposure of others to second-hand smoke (environmental tobacco smoke); and
• having smoke-free homes also lowers the chances that children will take up smoking .

Making areas like workplaces, homes and cars smoke-free is a cost-effective way of reducing smoking in communities. These measures have worked in the general Australian community, and are likely to also have an impact on smoking rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Although it can be very difficult to negotiate smoke-free spaces, many Aboriginal communities have been successful in doing health promotion or implementing policies to encourage smoke-free workplaces, homes and cars 

Further reading

CEITC fact sheet What do we know about the success of smoke-free workplaces, homes and cars?

CEITC fact sheet Top tips for implementing smoke-free workplaces and public community spaces

Workplace policy section on CEITC website

Action on Smoking and Health website