Survey shows tougher stance sought on outdoor smoking
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A Newcastle University survey shows governments are "out of touch" with the public who want tougher restrictions on outdoor smoking and cigarette sales.
Most respondents want smoking banned in outdoor dining areas and children's playgrounds.
The survey also found strong public support for a ban on cigarette sales in shops and supermarkets frequented by children.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Raoul Walsh says 90 per cent of respondents also want governments to spend more money on anti-tobacco campaigns.
"Governments always tend to lag behind ... where the public's at with many social issues and I guess tobacco's one of them," he said.
"They have introduced new legislation recently which has been quite beneficial, but I think they just need to be constantly reminded that the public's ahead of them."
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