Signs, Fines and Compliance Officers: A Systematic Review of Strategies for Enforcing Smoke-Free Policy

Olivia Wynne, Ashleigh Guillaumier, Laura Twyman, Sam McCrabb, Alexandra M. J. Denham, Christine Paul, Amanda L. Baker and Billie Bonevski
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Olivia Wynne: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Ashleigh Guillaumier: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Laura Twyman: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Sam McCrabb: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Alexandra M. J. Denham: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Christine Paul: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Amanda L. Baker: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Billie Bonevski: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive Callaghan, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Background . Smoke-free environment policies limit or eliminate the use of smoke-producing tobacco in designated areas thereby reducing second hand smoke. Enforcement is perceived as critical to the successful adoption of a smoke-free policy. However, there is limited guidance available regarding effective enforcement strategies. A systematic review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of enforcement strategies at increasing compliance with and enforcement of smoke-free policies; and to determine circumstances other than enforcement strategies that are associated with compliance with smoke-free policies. Design . Medline, Medline in Process, The Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL databases were searched using MeSH and keywords for relevant studies published between January 1980 and August 2017. A narrative synthesis and methodological quality assessment of included studies was undertaken. Results . Policy promotion and awareness-raising activities, signage, enforcement officers, and penalties for violations were the enforcement strategies most frequently cited as being associated with successful policy enforcement. Additionally, awareness of the laws, non-smoking management and lower staff smoking rates, and membership of a network guiding the policy enforcement contributed to higher compliance with smoke-free policies. Conclusions . There is weak evidence of the effectiveness of strategies associated with compliance with smoke-free policies. Given the evidence base is weak, well-designed trials utilizing appropriate evaluation designs are needed. Overall enforcement strategies associated with total smoke-free bans resulted in higher levels of compliance than strategies for policies that had only partial smoke-free bans.

Keywords: smoke-free environment; enforcement strategies; smoke-free policy; smoking cessation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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