Anti-smoking lobby targets 'last frontier'

Public health researchers are calling for smoke-free homes.

A study has found an "aggressive" smoke-free policy will ensure fewer people start the habit, as well as helping people to kick smoking.

Researcher George Thomson from the University of Otago's Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences said that a combination of higher tobacco prices, effective education, a well funded quit smoking support system and graphic health warnings would help homes to stay smoke-free.

"With the goal of making New Zealand's workplaces smoke-free now largely achieved, people's homes are one of the last frontiers in the battle to reduce second-hand smoke indoors," Dr Thomson said.

Second-hand smoke was harmful to human health and wellbeing, and homes were crucial sites of exposure, he said.

"Smoke-free homes mean fewer children with glue ear, fewer days off school, and less chance of children starting smoking. And they help avoid the catastrophic effects of cot deaths on families."

Dr Thomson said that up until now research had focused on individuals reducing second-hand smoke in homes rather than a comprehensive tobacco control programmes.

In the United States, the rural California town of Calabasas has gone a step further.

It has enacted the first law in the US banning smoking on streets, at bus stops and in all other public places where people can be exposed to second-hand smoke.

"People have a right to breathe clean air.

"It is time to stand up to the challenges, the critics and to tobacco interests," Calabasas Mayor Barry Groveman told a news conference this week.

The law was passed unanimously last month by the council in the affluent canyon community of 21,000 people northwest of Los Angeles.

The ban means an end to smokers huddling outside the entrances of offices, lighting up on outdoor restaurant patios, or puffing on their apartment balconies if they are near common areas such as pools or laundry rooms.

From today, smokers will be asked to go to designated areas, or will be handed small cards outlining the new law. Persistent offenders risk fines of up to US$500 ($775).

"We don't anticipate any problems with compliance.

"We are hearing nothing but positive comments," said Mr Groveman, adding he hoped other US cities would follow the lead of Calabasas.

San Francisco already prohibits smoking in parks and Los Angeles and Malibu last year cracked down on the habit on more than 65km of beaches.

- REUTERS