Aims: To document policies and practices developed by primary and intermediate schools in response to the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 and estimate levels of staff support for legislation requiring totally smoke-free schools.
Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to a random national sample of 10% of principals of all primary and intermediate schools.
Results: There were 209 questionnaires returned, a response rate of 87%. While 97% of principals reported that their school had a written policy for smoking, only 58% provided a copy. Only 49% of principals said that their school smoking policy was prominently displayed. Most (82 %) claimed that school buildings were smoke-free, but only 44% said that this applied to buildings and grounds. Overall, 62% considered that school staff would support legislation that required schools to be totally smoke-free in buildings and grounds. School policies ranged from total prohibition of smoking in school buildings and grounds to the provision of designated smoking areas for staff.
Conclusions: Compliance with current smoke-free legislation appears to be variable. Consistency in the meaning of smoke-free status in schools is lacking. There appears to be good staff and parent support for making all schools totally smoke-free. The best way to achieve universal, permanent and totally smoke-free status for New Zealand schools would be to amend current legislation to include specific requirements for all school premises.