Are smoke-free policies implemented and adhered to at sporting venues?

Objective: This study investigated the level of implementation of and adher ence to smoke-free policies in two major sporting venues in Perth. Method: Smoking status and attitude toward the smoke-free policies in the v enues were determined in a random sample of spectators as they entered each venue. An observational study of randomly selected non-smoking seated area s in each venus was conducted on the same day to determine compliance with smoke-free policies. A butt-count was conducted to validate these observati ons. Results: There was a high level of both awareness and agreement with the sm oke-free policies, however, this level of agreement was higher in non-smoke rs than smokers. The results of the observational study and the butt-count indicated that the policies were implemented and there was a high level of adherence with the smoke-free policy at both venues. Conclusion: The results provide further evidence that smoke-free policies i n sporting venues are both supported and adhered to by spectators. Implications: The implementation of the smoke-free policies at venues is hi ghly effective in protecting non-smokers from the effects of environmental tobacco smoke.