Getting an outdoor smokefree policy: the case of Kapiti Coast District Council.

AIM

To explore how a smokefree parks policy was conceived, accepted and developed by and for Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC).

METHOD

Thirteen people involved in the smokefree parks policy process for KCDC were interviewed in person during November-December 2008. Supporting documentation and websites were accessed and reviewed.

RESULTS

In September 2008 the KCDC agreed to adopt a smokefree parks and playground policy, following an initiative from a smokefree coalition of several public health organisations. The policy was developed collaboratively by this coalition with input from the council, and was supported by key local organisations. The KCDC appears to have adopted a smokefree outdoor areas (SFOA) policy because of demonstrated public support, the relative simplicity and low cost of the policy, the success of similar policies elsewhere, and because of the alignment with desired community outcomes. The challenges included finding funding and allocating staff time for this project. There were also concerns with how the policy would be enforced.

CONCLUSIONS

A collaborative approach amongst health and community groups for achieving SFOA policies works well. The experience with council SFOA policies has considerable impact on the adoption of similar policies by other councils. To maximise this influence, information about the policies needs to be spread nationally by the health and local government sectors.