No-smoking Policies Research Articles

Second Hand Tobacco Smoke Exposure among Adults in an Urbanized Village in Delhi

Abstract Background: India contributes to the maximum of the world’s health burdens attributable to tobacco use. Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is also associated with adverse health effects, causing 1.2 million deaths worldwide each year. In Delhi, 28.0% had SHS exposure at public places. About one-fifth experienced exposure to SHS at workplace. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SHS exposure among adults in an urbanized village in Delhi. Materials and Method: It was a community-based cross-sectional house-to-house survey conducted between January 2020 and June 2021 in Aliganj, an urbanized village in Delhi. A total of 490 residents ≥15 years were included using simple random sampling. The interview was conducted by the primary author using the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). Each subject enrolled in the study was explicitly informed of the purpose of the study by the investigator and provided written informed consent before enrolment. Data were checked for errors, entered in Microsoft Excel, and analyzed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Of the 490 participants, 14.7% were exposed to SHS in their house and 16.1% were exposed to SHS outside the house in the last 1 month. The majority (85.3%) believed secondhand smoking is harmful, 6.5% disagreed, and the rest were unaware. Conclusion: Though most participants knew that exposure to SHS can cause serious illness, further awareness sessions need to be conducted to improve knowledge and understanding and reduce exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke in homes. Strict adherence to no-smoking policies should be implemented as per law to reduce exposure to SHS in public areas.

The crossroads of work and home: linkages between smoke-free policies at work and household environments

BackgroundTobacco use causes over eight million global deaths annually, with seven million directly attributed to tobacco use and 1.2 million to second hand smoke (SHS). Smoke-free environments are crucial to counter SHS. Although India banned smoking in public places in 2008, SHS exposure remains high. Studies have noted that limiting smoking in workplaces, restaurants, etc., helps to reduce overall smoking and reduce SHS exposure. Under this background, the study explores the linkages between smoke-free workplaces and living in smoke-free homes in India.MethodsThe two rounds of the GATS India (2009-10 and 2016-17) have been used for the study. The study focuses on male tobacco smokers working indoors or outdoors or both indoors and outdoors. The sample for the study was 2,969 for GATS 1 and 2,801 for GATS 2. Dependent variables include living in a smoke-free home, while the independent variables were adherence to a smoke-free office policy and socio-demographic variables. The two rounds of the GATS data were pooled for analysis. Statistical analysis involves bivariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsFindings reveal that 41% of respondents worked in smoke-free workplaces in GATS 2. Nationally, smoke-free homes increased from 35% in 2009–2010 to 44% in 2016-17. Individuals with smoke-free workplaces were more likely to have smoke-free homes. The Southern region consistently exhibited the highest proportion of smoke-free homes. Urban areas and higher education correlated with increased smoke-free homes. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that workplace smoke-free status is a significant predictor of smoke-free homes. In GATS 2, respondents aged 30 years and above were less likely to have smoke-free homes, while education and Southern region residence positively influenced smoke-free homes.ConclusionsThe correlation between smoke-free workplaces and smoke-free homes is linked to stringent workplace no-smoking policies, potentially deterring individuals from smoking at home. Opportunities exist for the expansion and stringent implementation of the smoke-free policies among Indian working adults, leveraging the workplace as a key setting for evidence-based tobacco control. The study highlights positive trends in India’s smoke-free homes, crediting workplace policies. Effective policies, education, and regional strategies can advance smoke-free homes, stressing the pivotal role of workplace policies and advocating broader implementation.

Safeguarding Maritime Operations through Strategic Shipping Protocols for Enhanced Security

This study investigates the implementation of safety measures during the shipping of survey boats in Indonesia, employing qualitative methods with both primary and secondary data. Maritime transport safety, particularly for survey boats, is crucial yet often overlooked. The analysis reveals that effective management of survey boats and fuel safety is essential, with specific measures such as careful navigation, no-smoking policies, secure fuel packaging, regular maintenance, and weather monitoring being paramount. The findings advocate for stringent safety protocols to prevent accidents and enhance maritime security, suggesting significant implications for global maritime operations. Highlights: Importance of Shipping Safety: Priority in sea transportation. Analysis of Shipping Safety Implementation: Focus on survey boat usage and fuel safety. Key Variables in Research: Safe driving practices, fuel packaging, ship maintenance, weather awareness. Keywords: Surveyboat, Fuel, Safety

The subversion of Mill and the ultimate aim of nursing.

This is lightly edited and referenced version of a presentation given at the 20th International Philosophy of Nursing conference in Quebec on 23rd August 2016. Philosophical texts are not given the same prominence in nurse education as their more valued younger sibling, primary research evidence, but they can influence practice through guidelines, codes and espoused values. John Stuart Mill's harm principle, found in On Liberty, is not a universal law, and only a thoroughgoing libertarian would defend it as such, though it, or its remnants, can be seen can be seen in policy documents. But its influence is weakening. Smoking bans in enclosed spaces were initially justified with other-regarding considerations, but judgements from unsuccessful legal challenges from patients in UK psychiatric hospitals rely on preventing harm to the smoker, even when smoking outside, which does not harm others. In the wake of legislation, no-smoking policies enacted by hospitals are becoming more aggressive, banning smoking both inside and outside, and extending the use of power gained through employment to prevent nurses assisting patients enjoy a lawful habit. Mill's dictum has been subverted, and this speaks to the fundamental purpose of nursing. Should nurses collude and willingly exert their power for their version of the good of the patient? Or should they instead reaffirm values that support and facilitate life choices made by autonomous people? The paper supports the latter option, and this has wider application for nursing which can be illuminated, if not settled, by revisiting Mill and his famous dictum.

Health, Secondhand Smoke Exposure, and Smoking Behavior Impacts of No-Smoking Policies in Public Housing, Colorado, 2014–2015

IntroductionExposure to secondhand smoke is problematic for residents living in multiunit housing, as the smoke migrates through shared ventilation systems, unsealed cracks, and door spaces. The objective of our research was to assess resident exposure to secondhand smoke, support for no-smoking policies, and the health impacts of no-smoking policies in multiunit housing.MethodsSurveys of 312 heads of households who resided in 1 of 3 multiunit buildings managed by a Colorado public housing authority were administered before and after implementation of a no-smoking policy that prohibited smoking in all resident apartments and all indoor common areas. A matched-pairs analysis of initial surveys and 15-month post-policy implementation surveys for 115 respondents was conducted.ResultsDecreases were found in the number and percentage of smokers who smoked every day and the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and 30% had quit smoking 15 months after policy implementation. The percentage of residents who smelled secondhand smoke indoors declined significantly. A significant decrease in breathing problems was found after policy implementation. Although decreases were found in the incidence of asthma attacks, emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eye irritation, colds, nasal congestion, and ear/sinus infections, these decreases were not significant.ConclusionConsistent findings across nearly all variables tested suggest that no-smoking policies reduce resident exposure to secondhand smoke, lower the incidence of secondhand smoke–associated breathing problems, decrease daily smoking and cigarette consumption, encourage smoking cessation, and increase quit attempts. If implemented in all multiunit housing, these policies could reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and health problems associated with secondhand smoke, promote smoking cessation, and reduce cigarette consumption.

Implementing Tobacco Control Programs in Homeless Shelters: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background Tobacco-related chronic diseases contribute significantly to the increased morbidity and mortality observed in the homeless population. Few homeless service settings address tobacco use among their clients. Method Directors and staff from emergency and transitional shelters in San Diego County completed a questionnaire on no-smoking policies and smoking cessation services and participated in in-depth, semistructured interviews to examine the barriers to and facilitators of implementing smoke-free policies and cessation services in their facilities. Results Facilities differed in outdoor restrictions around smoking: 61.5% reported having an outdoor designated smoking zone, and 25% reported having a campus-wide ban on smoking. About one-third of the facilities offered on-site resources for smoking cessation. Although directors and staff supported smoke-free policies, they reported that the increased resources needed to "police" the policy created barriers to implementation. Almost all directors and staff expressed interest in developing an on-site tobacco control program, but they reported that lack of expertise among staff posed challenges to implementing such a program. Conclusion Our findings suggest that for a tobacco control program to be effective in homeless shelters, it should include training and incentives for staff to implement smoke-free policies and cessation services.

E-cigarette marketing and older smokers: road to renormalization.

To describe older smokers' perceptions of risks and use of e-cigarettes, and their responses to marketing and knowledge of, and opinions about, regulation of e-cigarettes. Eight 90-minute focus groups with 8 to 9 participants met in urban and suburban California to discuss topics related to cigarettes and alternative tobacco products. Older adults are using e-cigarettes for cessation and as a way to circumvent no-smoking policies; they have false perceptions about the effectiveness and safety of e-cigarettes. They perceive e-cigarette marketing as a way to renormalize smoking. To stem the current epidemic of nicotine addiction, the FDA must take immediate action because e-cigarette advertising promotes dual use and may contribute to the renormalization of smoking.

Relieving in-patient boredom in general hospitals: the evidence for intervention and practical ideas

SummaryBoredom is highly prevalent among general hospital in-patients. Self-help strategies suit some patients, but for others hospitals need to stimulate opportunities for them to experience meaningful relationships and roles and a sense of control. In-patients' well-being and levels of boredom may be affected by no-smoking policies, hospital design, access to natural light, nature scenes and indoor or outdoor gardens. Alleviating boredom in elderly patients with reduced cognitive function may be particularly challenging. Healthcare professionals may face the wider challenge of fully engaging with patients' psychosocial needs, given the biomedical model that privileges the ‘traditional medical history’ over the more holistic communication model. Engaging with patients' psychosocial needs is consistent with managing their experience of 'sickness' rather than focusing on the narrower concept of ‘disease’.

Support for smoke-free multi-unit housing policies among racially and ethnically diverse, low-income seniors in South Florida.

Previous studies have gauged support for implementing smoke-free multi-unit housing (MUH) policies in the United States, but none have specifically examined attitudes among racially and ethnically diverse elders living in low-income MUH. We surveyed a convenience sample of elders 62 years of age and older (n = 807) across 24 low-income housing properties in Broward County, Florida in order to assess residents’ smoking behaviors, exposure to second-hand smoke, and support for smoke-free policies. The study sample was ethnically and racially diverse with Hispanics comprising more than 61 % of the population, and 22 % identifying as Black or other races. Although close to 22 % of the sample were former smokers, only 9 % of residents reported being current smokers. The majority of residents surveyed supported no-smoking policies: 75 % support no-smoking policies for individual units; 77 % supported no-smoking policies in common areas; and, 68 % supported no-smoking policies in outdoor areas. Over 29 % of residents surveyed reported being exposed to secondhand smoke entering their units from elsewhere in their building. Residents who reported having a home smoking rule were more than twice as likely to support an indoor policy compared to residents who allowed smoking anywhere in their home (OR = 2.36; 95%CI 1.25–4.43; p ≤ 0.01), and nonsmoking residents were nearly three times as likely to support an indoor policy compared to smokers (OR = 2.89; 95%CI 1.44–5.79; p ≤ 0.01). Support for an indoor policy was not modified by age, gender, ethnicity or race. . This study demonstrates that elders living in low-income MUH properties overwhelmingly supported the implementation of smoke-free policies.

Smoking and Membership in a Fraternity or Sorority: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objective: Fraternity and sorority members have higher rates of smoking than other college students. This systematic review examines studies that included fraternity/sorority membership in their investigation of smoking behaviors. Participants/Methods: Studies identified in MEDLINE, PsychInfo, JSTOR, CINAHL, ERIC, and Google Scholar published between 2003 and 2013 were included if they included fraternity and/or sorority membership, were written in English, published in a peer-reviewed journal, and had smoking as an outcome variable. Nineteen studies were identified for the review. Results: Fraternity/sorority members were more likely to be nondaily smokers. Members who lived in the fraternity/sorority house had higher rates of smoking than members who lived elsewhere. Fraternity/sorority member smoking was associated with alcohol and other substance use. The influence of no-smoking policies on fraternity/sorority member smoking was also examined. Conclusions: Fraternity/sorority membership was associated with higher rates of smoking, but this association was influenced by other substance use and environmental factors.

Support for No-Smoking Policies Among Residents of Public Multiunit Housing Differs by Smoking Status

We compared perceptions of smoking and non-smoking Tacoma, WA multiunit public housing residents regarding smoke-free policies and in-home smoking rules. Two-hundred-twenty-nine completed surveys (~16% of units) of a modified version of the CDC's multiunit housing resident survey were analyzed. Smokers differed significantly (p < 0.05) from non-smokers with respect to agreement with policies that would ban smoking in homes (41% of smokers and 82% of non-smokers strongly agreed or agreed), in common indoor areas (74% of smokers and 82% of non-smokers strongly agreed or agreed), and for outdoor areas (38% of smokers and 68% of non-smokers strongly agreed or agreed). For in-home smoking rules, smokers and non-smokers again differed significantly (p < 0.05) with 53% of smokers and 90% of non-smokers not allowing smoking in their homes. Twenty-five percent of residents reported smelling secondhand smoke that infiltrated their residence from the outside on a daily basis. The most notable findings are that more than 50% of smokers do not allow smoking in their homes and that more than 50% of smokers are supportive of or neutral with respect to smoke-free policies for one's home. This suggests that implementation of smoke-free policies may not greatly impact vacancy rates even in populations with high rates of smoking (37% in this study).

Pediatrician Interventions and Thirdhand Smoke Beliefs of Parents

Thirdhand smoke is residual tobacco smoke contamination that remains after a cigarette is extinguished. A national study indicates that adults' belief that thirdhand smoke (THS) harms children is associated with strict household no-smoking policies. The question of whether pediatricians can influence THS beliefs has not been assessed. To identify prevalence of THS beliefs and associated factors among smoking parents, and the association of pediatrician intervention on parent belief that THS is harmful to their children. Exit interview data were collected from 1980 parents following a pediatric office visit. Parents' level of agreement or disagreement that THS can harm the health of babies and children was assessed. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify whether pediatricians' actions were independently associated with parental belief that THS can harm the health of babies and children. Data were collected from 2009 to 2011, and analyses were conducted in 2012. Ninety-one percent of parents believed that THS can harm the health of babies and children. Fathers (AOR=0.59, 95% CI=0.42, 0.84) and parents who smoked more than ten cigarettes per day (AOR=0.63, 95% CI=0.45, 0.88) were less likely to agree with this statement. In contrast, parents who received advice (AOR=1.60, 95% CI=1.04, 2.45) to have a smokefree home or car or to quit smoking and parents who were referred (AOR=3.42, 95% CI=1.18, 9.94) to a "quitline" or other cessation program were more likely to agree that THS can be harmful. Fathers and heavier smokers were less likely to believe that THS is harmful. However, pediatricians' actions to encourage smoking parents to quit or adopt smokefree home or car policies were associated with parental beliefs that THS harms children. This study is registered at NCT00664261.

No-Smoking Policies and Their Outcomes on U.S. Beaches

Beach litter is harmful and costly in many ways, and the number one form of litter on U.S. beaches is cigarette butts. Campaigns for smokeless beaches have been based largely on environment and aesthetics, but health and economic factors are also important. Beach tourism is often the most important source of revenue for coastal communities, and surveys have shown that the foremost requirements for beachgoers are clean sand and clean water. The present paper introduces a study of the smoking bans adopted so far on some U.S. beaches.

Reflections on 25 Years of Health Promotion—Where Have We Been and Where are We Going?

Reflections on 25 Years of Health Promotion—Where Have We Been and Where are We Going?

Second-hand Smoke Exposure and Urine Cotinine Levels by Occupation in the Busan, Ulsan, Kyeongnam Provinces

Objectives: Exposure to second-hand smoke varied by smoking rate in the workplace and no-smoking policies. The purpose of this study was to estimate the status of second-hand smoke exposure by occupation through urine cotinine analysis in Busan, Ulsan, and Kyeongnam provinces. Methods: Data was obtained from the National Institute of Environmental Research of Korea as ‘The 2008 Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in Human Body’. We selected 629 non-smokers who lived in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam provinces. General and occupational characteristics were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Urine cotinine concentrations were analyzed by a gas chromatograph-mass selective detector. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test, Student t-test and ANOVA. Results: The geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) of urine cotinine concentration was 17.11 (2.74) ng/ml. The urine cotinine concentration of the middle school graduate group (18.47 (2.86) ng/ml) was higher than the college graduate group (15.64 (2.60) ng/ml, p=0.212). Also, the cotinine concentration of current drinkers (18.98 (2.47) ng/ml) was higher than non-drinkers (16.15 (2.88) ng/ml, p=0.054). The proportion who smelled smoke was higher in workers (38.5%) than in non-workers (29.7%, p=0.02). Therefore, urine cotinine concentration was higher in workers (17.29 (2.66) ng/ml) than in non-workers (16.97 (2.81) ng/ml) but not at a statistically significant amount (p=0.826). In addition, cotinine concentration between the group who smelled smoke (20.45 (2.42) ng/ml) and the group who did not smelled smoke (15.53 (2.78) ng/ml) was significantly different (p=0.016) in workers but not in non-workers (17.08 (2.42) ng/ml vs 16.92 (2.98) ng/ml, p=0.942). According to the National Center for Health Statistics occupational categories in the US and the Korea Standard Classification of Occupations, the urine cotinine concentration of white collar workers such as technical workers and administrators, professional specialists, and managers was higher (18.01 (2.55) ng/ml) than that of blue collar workers such as plant and machine operators and assemblers, elementary occupations, and craft and related trades workers (15.36 (3.48) ng/ml). Conclusions: The workplace is an important contributor to second-hand smoke exposure in Busan, Ulsan and Kyeongnam provinces. Unlike in advanced countries, where anti-smoking policies have been implemented, urine cotinine concentration in people in Busan, Ulsan and Kyeongnam provinces was higher in the white collar group than in the blue collar group. This result might be due to a higher indoor second-hand smoking rate of workplaces in these areas. Further studies are needed to evaluate the correlation between regional characteristics of industries, anti-smoking policies in the workplace, smoking rates and urine cotinine concentrations of workers.

Nicotine Deprivation and Pilot Performance During Simulated Flight

Most airlines enforce no-smoking policies, potentially causing flight performance decrements in pilots who are smokers. We tested the hypotheses that nicotine withdrawal affects aircraft pilot performance within 12 h of smoking cessation and that chewing nicotine gum leads to significant relief of these withdrawal effects. There were 29 pilots, regular smokers, who were tested in a Frasca 141 flight simulator on two 13-h test days, each including three 75-min flights (0 hr, 6 hr, 12 hr) in a randomized, controlled trial. On the first day (baseline), all pilots smoked one cigarette per hour. On the second day, pilots were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) nicotine cigarettes; (2) nicotine gum; (3) placebo gum; (4) no cigarettes/no gum. Flight Summary Scores (FSS) were compared between groups with repeated measures ANOVAs. No statistically significant differences in overall simulator flight performance were revealed between pilots who smoked cigarettes and pilots who were not allowed to smoke cigarettes or chew nicotine gum, but there was a trend for pilots who were not allowed to smoke to perform worse. However, pilots who chewed placebo gum performed significantly worse during the 6-h (FSS = -0.03) as well as during the 12-h flight (FSS = -0.08) than pilots who chewed nicotine gum (FSS = 0.15 / 0.30, respectively). Results suggest that nicotine withdrawal effects can impair aircraft pilot performance within 12 h of smoking cessation and that during smoking abstinence chewing one stick of 4-mg nicotine gum per hour may lead to significantly better overall flight performance compared to chewing placebo gum.

As the Smoke Clears, Hospitals Assess Impact

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical & Research NewsFull AccessAs the Smoke Clears, Hospitals Assess ImpactJoan Arehart-TreichelJoan Arehart-TreichelSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:21 Aug 2009https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.44.16.0027Precisely a year ago—in July 2008—all psychiatric hospitals in England were required to become smoke free.The impact of the new policy on patients and staff is turning out to be for the most part more positive than negative, a study reported in the June British Journal of Psychiatry suggests.The study was headed by Elena Ratschen, a doctoral student in epidemiology and public health at the University of Nottingham.To obtain information about the impact of the new no-smoking policy on psychiatric hospitals, Ratschen and her colleagues surveyed human resource directors at 54 mental health trusts that operate psychiatric hospitals throughout England. These were the individuals who were largely responsible for the development of no-smoking policies in the psychiatric hospitals within their particular area.The human resource directors reported that implementing the new policy did create some challenges. For example, some forensic patients had to be taken outside to secure areas to smoke, which hadn't been the case before. Some patients who had smoked and who were in seclusion had to receive nicotine-replacement therapy. Some staff members, particularly nurses, were apprehensive that the new policy might lead to patient violence or to patients smoking clandestinely and starting a fire. And some staff members did not like having to deal with the aggression and abuse that some patients or visitors displayed when told that they could not smoke.Nonetheless, the outcome has been more positive than negative, the human resources directors said. None could cite an instance of the policy's leading to patient violence or to a patient smoking secretly and starting a fire. It is reducing smoking among both patients and staff and reducing both groups' exposure to secondhand smoke. Some former smoking rooms have been transformed into health-promoting recreational spaces, which are increasing patients' sense of well-being and behavior. Some patients are sleeping better since they stopped smoking (and drinking coffee) during evening hours.Many U.S. psychiatric hospitals are also switching to a smoke-free policy, although they are not as far along as those in England are. For example, according to a report in the September 2002 Psychiatric Services, psychiatric units in California, Oregon, Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Kentucky had totally banned smoking. According to an article in the January-February 2006 American Journal of Addictions, 12 of 14 inpatient psychiatric hospitals in the San Francisco Bay area had done the same. And as Steven Schroeder, M.D., director of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center of the University of California, reported during a recent teleconference, 49 percent of psychiatric hospitals in the United States are now smoke free, compared with 41 percent three years ago (Psychiatric News, May 1).As in England, the switch here has created challenges—for instance, resistance by staff and patients, especially staff. However, as in England, the switch has brought benefits—for example, less violence and disruptive behavior by patients (Psychiatric News, November 16, 2007).The study by Ratschen was funded by the University of Nottingham.An abstract of “Implementation of Smoke-free Policies in Mental Health Inpatient Settings in England” is posted at<http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/194/6/547>.▪ ISSUES NewArchived

Practicing Preventive Medicine through Preventive Employment Practices

Despite challenges, employer no-smoking policies have been upheld by the courts to date. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.

Do total smoking bans affect the recruitment and retention of adolescents in inpatient substance abuse treatment programs?: A 5-year medical chart review, 2001–2005

Adolescents engaged in substance abuse treatment manifest a rate of cigarette smoking approximately four times higher than that of youth in the general population (∼80% vs. 20%) and a high rate of smoking persistence into adulthood. Although there has been a shift toward the implementation of no-smoking policies in substance abuse treatment programs, few studies have examined the relation between cigarette-smoking bans and key clinical outcomes. The current study examined the medical charts of all adolescents ( N = 520) admitted to the only adolescent hospital-based substance abuse treatment program in the northern two thirds of the province of British Columbia, Canada. During the span of the study period (March 2001–December 2005), the treatment site moved from a partial smoking ban to a total smoking ban, and then retreated to partial smoking ban. The total smoking ban was not associated with a lower proportion of adolescent smokers seeking treatment at the facility or a lower treatment completion rate among smokers. Total smoking bans do not appear to be an obstacle for adolescent smokers seeking residential substance abuse treatment, nor do total smoking bans appear to compromise the treatment completion rates of smokers in comparison to nonsmokers. Despite these null findings, the effective implementation of smoke-free policies in adolescent substance abuse treatment programs requires not only large-scale organizational change but also the transformation of current commonly held beliefs about tobacco dependence in addictions treatment and recovery communities.

The role of remote community stores in reducing the harm resulting from tobacco to Aboriginal people

The objective of this study was to assess the potential for reducing the harm resulting from tobacco use through health promotion programmes run in community stores in remote Aboriginal communities. The Tobacco Project utilised data from 111 stakeholder interviews (72 at baseline and 71 at follow-up after 12 months) assessing presence of sales to minors, tobacco advertising, labelling and pricing. It also involved the assessment of observational data from community stores and comments obtained from 29 tobacco vendors derived from community surveys. Sales of tobacco to minors were not reported in community stores and all stores complied with requirements to display the legislated signage. However, tobacco was accessible to minors through a vending machine and through independent vendors. Only one store displayed tobacco advertising; all stores had displayed anti-tobacco health promotion posters or pamphlets. Pricing policies in two stores may have meant that food items effectively subsidised the cost of tobacco. All stores had unofficial no-smoking policies in accessible parts of the store. Remote community stores complied with existing legislation, aside from allowing access of minors to vending machines. There may still be potential for proactive tobacco education campaigns run through community stores and for a trial assessing the effect of changes in tobacco prices on tobacco consumption.