Whether a workplace smoking ban is to be successful is at least in part dependent on its acceptability among staff members. Research into staff support for workplace bans prior to their introduction within the Australian public service showed that 76% of the overall sample approved of the bans.(76) Smokers had the lowest approval for the ban (40%), compared with ex-smokers (82%) and never-smokers (90%).
Six months after the full implementation of the smokefree policy, approval ratings by staff members had increased.(77) In response to the comment 'overall, the ban was a good thing', 57% of smokers, 90% of ex-smokers and 95% of never-smokers agreed or agreed strongly. It is interesting to note that even though 53% of smokers agreed that the ban had inconvenienced them, a higher proportion of smokers saw that the ban delivered an overall benefit. Around one-third of smokers reported that they both disapproved of the ban and felt inconvenienced by it. It is suggested that this group may require ongoing consultation and advice, and that health promotion programs in the workplace embracing broader health issues may assist in creating a positive environment for health policy in the workplace.