Smoking control in restaurants: the effectiveness of self-regulation in Australia

Objectives. The provision of smoke-free areas in restaurants has been a controversial issue; the restaurant industry largely opts for a self-regulation approach. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of self-regulation as a strategy in meeting the industry's and customers' perceived needs. Method. Restaurateur and customer perspectives on the provision of smoke-free areas in restaurants were examined by survey among 365 restaurateurs and 1327 customers in New South Wales, Australia. Results. Less than 2% of restaurants were totally smoke-free; 22% provided some smoke-free areas. Customers were much more likely than owners to think that smoke-free areas should be provided. Owners appeared to be unaware of customers' views about smoke-free areas in restaurants. Conclusions. Little evidence was found to support the effectiveness of the self-regulation policy adopted by the restaurant industry. Characteristics of restaurants and owners associated with the provision of smoke-free areas are presented and implications of the findings are discussed.(Am J Public Health. 1993;83:1284-1288)
Restaurateurs and their customers in New South Wales, Australia disagree to a remarkable degree about the need to provide smoke-free restaurants or at least non-smoking areas. A study of 365 restaurateurs in two cities and 1,327 of their customers shows that customers favor non-smoking areas far more than restaurants provide them. According to the survey of restaurateurs, under 2% of restaurants prohibited smoking altogether, and only 22% provided smoke-free areas. This suggests that the policy of allowing restaurants to regulate themselves regarding provision of smoke-free areas is a failure. In contrast, nearly 90% of customers favored either separate smoking areas or a ban on smoking. Restaurant owners should pay greater attention to the needs and desires of their customers, and customers should actively demand segregation of smokers in restaurants.