Case Studies
Tamworth Smoke and E-cigarette Free CBDs
Design Feature
Type of project
Local Government Initiative
State
New South Wales
Location
Regional
In January 2016, Tamworth Regional Council, in northern New South Wales (NSW) became the first in Australia to launch an inaugural smoke free environment policy which included a city-wide outdoor smoking and electronic cigarette ban. The policy came about further to a Council motion on 25 November 2014 which requested Council investigate local policy for smoking in public places across the Local Government Area (LGA).
Policy adoption followed comprehensive community consultation and extensive debate via local and social media over a period of 12 months. Council established a working partnership with local health organisations who worked together to support the process of community engagement, policy development and policy implementation.
Policy adoption followed comprehensive community consultation and extensive debate via local and social media over a period of 12 months. Council established a working partnership with local health organisations who worked together to support the process of community engagement, policy development and policy implementation.
A smoke free city!
The adoption of a smoke free environment policy in November 2015 followed 12 months of planning and community engagement. The policy covered a range of outdoor areas including the Central Business District (CBD)s of Tamworth, Manilla and Barraba.
Let’s Clear the Air – Have your say on Smoke Free Zones was a comprehensive community consultation process led by Council, involving an online interactive community engagement tool called social pinpoint. The project team promoted Let’s Clear the Air using media stories and personally engaging key stakeholders such as shopkeepers who were approached to participate.
Let’s Clear the Air – Have your say on Smoke Free Zones was a comprehensive community consultation process led by Council, involving an online interactive community engagement tool called social pinpoint. The project team promoted Let’s Clear the Air using media stories and personally engaging key stakeholders such as shopkeepers who were approached to participate.
Council received feedback from 1200 residents (1085 online responses and 98 paper surveys) which revealed overwhelming support for CBD-wide bans in addition to a range of other Council areas not covered by the NSW legislation. Policy implementation commenced with the assembly of street signage, media stories and information on the Council website.
A face to face survey involving 162 shopkeepers across the three CBDs in August 2017 (administered by Project Team staff/volunteers) served to evaluate the policy and gain feedback with regards to how it might be strengthened.
The new policy had been embraced by most of the community with very good levels of compliance. By creating cleaner, safer and more enjoyable streetscapes, this policy has enhanced these valuable community precincts as great places to meet, socialise and walk. Additional street signage, shop window stickers, coasters for cafes and media stories run periodically are helping to maintain community awareness of the policy.
Project team
- Tamworth Regional Council
- Heart Foundation NSW (New England)
- Tamworth Local Health Committee, Hunter New England Local Health District
- North West Cancer Centre, Tamworth Hospital
- Cancer Council NSW (New England & North West Area)
Project cost
Approximate Cost: $1,700
Including:
Including:
- Aluminium signage - $940
- Bin stickers - $403
Health value
In 2014, the rate of tobacco smoking in the Tamworth LGA was well above the state average with an adult rate of 19.9/100 population (as compared with NSW; 16.0/100 population). Furthermore, in some parts of Tamworth the smoking rate was as high as 30.3/100 population.
The capacity of smoke free public places in helping to reduce smoking rates is supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a Smoke Free policy presented an opportunity for Tamworth Regional Council to help reduce the high rate of smoking in the local community.
The smoke free zone:
The inclusion of electronic cigarettes was considered important because the safety of these products for both users and bystanders is yet unknown.
The capacity of smoke free public places in helping to reduce smoking rates is supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a Smoke Free policy presented an opportunity for Tamworth Regional Council to help reduce the high rate of smoking in the local community.
The smoke free zone:
- Reduces the risk to non-smokers of harm caused by second hand smoke exposure/e cigarette vapour;
- Supports people who are trying to quit smoking/vaping;
- Reduces visibility and discourages uptake by helping to de-normalise smoking and vaping.
- Raises awareness of the harms of second-hand smoke and;
- Potentially has a flow-on benefit, prompting individuals to make their cars and homes smoke-free.
The inclusion of electronic cigarettes was considered important because the safety of these products for both users and bystanders is yet unknown.
Economic value
- An online survey (conducted prior to policy introduction) suggested that for some residents, health/safety concerns linked with second hand smoke acted as a deterrent to them shopping in the Tamworth CBD. E.g. “I hate exposing myself and my young children to second hand smoke just to go shopping. It’s one of the main reasons I don’t shop on Peel Street unless I have to” Survey Participant, February 2015 (480 respondents).
- Seventy three percent of Tamworth CBD shopkeepers surveyed as part of the intervention evaluation in 2017 perceived that there was less smoking in the CBD further to the policy introduction. Only 1% suggested that smoking had increased.
- The same evaluation revealed that most shopkeepers (> 90%) supported the smoke free CBD policy, suggesting that it had not been bad for business activity.
- A cleaner, safer, healthier CBD potentially boosts business activity and tourism.
Environmental value
The policy helps to reduce cigarette butt litter in the Tamworth CBD. This is important, as;
Tamworth Council has retained the original street bins (that included a cigarette disposal function) but have added a large sticker that invites people to dispose appropriately of their cigarette.
- Cigarette butts can take up to five years to break down.
- Discarded cigarette butts present a hazard to the environment, especially when washed into gutters and water ways.
- Butt litter reduces the aesthetic appeal of a community space.
Tamworth Council has retained the original street bins (that included a cigarette disposal function) but have added a large sticker that invites people to dispose appropriately of their cigarette.
Social value
- The community has come to accept, and even expect the availability of smoke free environments in shared public spaces.
- The CBD of Tamworth with its widened pathways, seating, cafes and shade trees has become the key local destination for residents and visitors to meet, socialise and shop.
- An online survey (conducted prior to policy introduction; February 2015; 480 people) showed that, for 14% of respondents, the unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke was the main reason that they wanted to see smoking banned in the Tamworth CBD.
- By significantly reducing the unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke, visitors to the CBD potentially stay for a longer period thereby fostering social connections and building social capital.
Use value
- The Tamworth CBD is a treasured community space that all residents have a right to enjoy, free from the potential harm from unpleasant second-hand smoke and/or electronic cigarette vapour.
- Children, pregnant women and people living with a chronic disease are at heightened risk of harm from second hand smoke. In addition, there has been no research confirming that electronic cigarette vapour is safe, warranting their restriction in public spaces.
- There is some evidence that the smoke free policy has helped to facilitate use of this valuable community space by vulnerable members of the community: “I have really noticed a difference in Tamworth’s CBD since going smoke free. This is of real importance to me as so many of my consumers already have comprised health and often require the use of street seating. Smokers typically utilised these areas, but now we can use them for those who truly need them without concern of adding to our health issues” - Email communication from a local Dementia Support Worker, May 2017.
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