Has the ban on smoking in New South Wales restaurants worked? A comparison of restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate compliance with a legislative ban on smoking inside restaurants by comparing smoking in Sydney restaurants (where it is legally banned) with smoking in Melbourne restaurants (not subject to a legal ban). DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Unobtrusive observational study of restaurant patrons, and interviews with restaurant staff, carried out by 159 volunteers. SETTING: 78 Sydney restaurants with smoke-free indoor environments (as required by legislation) and 81 Melbourne restaurants not subject to legislation preventing smoking. The study took place from 20-31 October 2000. INTERVENTION: Legislation to ban smoking in indoor areas of restaurants was introduced in New South Wales ..