Children playing in a smoke-free park.

Clearing the Air: How Smoke-Free Laws Impact Schools and Communities

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the effects of national smoke-free legislation on teachers, schools, and early childhood centers, and what it means for public health."

Teachers are more than educators; they're role models. Their attitudes and behaviors toward smoking can significantly influence students, shaping perceptions long before a child's first cigarette. Research indicates a direct link between students' exposure to teachers who smoke and an increased risk of the students themselves taking up the habit.

In 2003, New Zealand took a bold step to protect its youth with the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act (SFEAA). This law mandates that all school and early childhood center (ECC) grounds be entirely smoke-free, aiming to shield young minds from the influence of seeing adults smoke. School and ECC managers are tasked with enforcing this crucial legislation, fostering a culture of compliance and cooperation.

A comprehensive national survey was conducted to understand how the introduction of the SFEAA affected teachers' smoking habits, perceptions, and the overall adherence to smoke-free policies in schools and ECCs. By focusing on teachers' experiences, this study sheds light on the effectiveness of smoke-free laws in promoting healthier environments.

Smoke-Free Laws: A Breath of Fresh Air for Schools?

A study was conducted that involved a cross-sectional survey of 2,004 teachers in New Zealand. These teachers were carefully selected from the electoral roll, with a focus on including a higher proportion of Māori teachers to better reflect and understand the impact on this community. The survey explored various aspects of smoking behavior, attitudes, and the perceived effectiveness of smoke-free policies within their educational environments.

The results highlighted several key trends:

Smoking Prevalence: Only 7% of the teachers identified as current smokers. Māori and Pacific Island teachers had higher rates of smoking (12% each) compared to European/Other teachers (7%).
Workplace Impact: A significant 37% of current smokers admitted to smoking non-daily, and those who smoked, did so less during work hours.
Behavioral Changes: The introduction of smoke-free legislation correlated with teachers altering their smoking habits, which included reducing cigarette consumption, attempting to quit, or successfully quitting altogether.
Perception of Compliance: Most teachers felt that the smoke-free legislation was well-adhered to. 30% of teachers reported still witnessing staff smoking, predominantly in schools with lower socioeconomic status.

The study confirms that smoke-free laws influence smoking behavior, particularly in environments where they're consistently enforced. New Zealand is facing an issue where smoking is becoming increasingly concentrated in specific socioeconomic and ethnic demographics, highlighting the importance of targeted support and resources.

Supporting a Smoke-Free Future

Smoke-free legislation is a key factor in reducing smoking rates and promoting healthier environments. The findings highlight the need for ongoing support and resources, specifically targeted at schools in lower socioeconomic areas and communities with higher Māori and Pacific Islander populations. By focusing on prevention and providing accessible cessation programs, New Zealand can continue to create a healthier, smoke-free future for all its children.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1071/he11166, Alternate LINK

Title: Impact Of National Smokefree Environments Laws On Teachers, Schools And Early Childhood Centres

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Health Promotion Journal of Australia

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Donna Watson, Marewa Glover, Judith Mccool, Chris Bullen, Brian Adams, Sandar Min

Published: 2013-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What specific law in New Zealand made school and early childhood center grounds smoke-free?

The Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act (SFEAA), introduced in 2003 in New Zealand, mandates that all school and early childhood center (ECC) grounds must be entirely smoke-free. This legislation aims to protect young people by preventing them from seeing adults smoking and to promote healthier environments for both children and educators. School and ECC managers are responsible for enforcing the SFEAA.

How did the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act (SFEAA) affect teachers' smoking habits in New Zealand?

The introduction of the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act (SFEAA) correlated with positive changes in teachers' smoking habits. Many teachers reported reducing their cigarette consumption, attempting to quit smoking, or successfully quitting altogether. A significant percentage of smokers also admitted to smoking less during work hours due to the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act (SFEAA).

What were the main findings of the national survey conducted to assess the impact of smoke-free policies in New Zealand schools and early childhood centers?

The national survey revealed that only a small percentage of teachers (7%) identified as current smokers. The survey also found that the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act (SFEAA) led to behavioral changes among teachers, such as reduced smoking during work hours and attempts to quit. Additionally, most teachers believed that the smoke-free policies were generally well-adhered to, although some reported witnessing staff smoking, particularly in schools with lower socioeconomic status.

Why is there a focus on Māori and Pacific Islander teachers in studies about smoke-free laws in New Zealand schools?

Māori and Pacific Islander teachers are specifically focused on in studies regarding smoke-free laws because smoking rates are higher within these communities compared to European/Other teachers. According to the survey, 12% of Māori and Pacific Island teachers identified as current smokers, compared to 7% of European/Other teachers. Addressing this disparity is crucial for promoting health equity and creating a smoke-free future for all children in New Zealand. Targeted support and resources are needed to assist these communities in reducing smoking rates.

What are the broader implications of smoke-free laws in schools and early childhood centers, beyond just the immediate health benefits?

Beyond the immediate health benefits of reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, smoke-free laws in schools and early childhood centers (ECCs) have far-reaching implications. Teachers serve as role models, and their smoking habits can significantly influence students' perceptions of smoking. By creating smoke-free environments, schools and ECCs can help de-normalize smoking and reduce the likelihood of students taking up the habit. Furthermore, smoke-free laws contribute to a culture of health and well-being, promoting positive attitudes towards healthy lifestyles and potentially reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking-related illnesses in the long term. Continued enforcement is key to the lasting impact of the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act (SFEAA).