Research published today from the University of Otago, Wellington has identified smokefree outdoor parks as a significant and growing new area for smokefree policies in New Zealand.

The research by Dr Brent Hyslop and Dr George Thomson, in the online New Zealand Medical Journal, finds this growth is largely driven by local authorities, District Health Boards and NGOs, without much central government contribution.

Since 2005, over a quarter of New Zealand's 73 local authorities have adopted smokefree outdoor policies, at least for playgrounds. The councils include Waitakere, Manukau and Christchurch, and over one million people now live in areas with some form of smokefree parks policies. These policies use signs and media publicity to inform smokers and the public, but they are not legally enforceable.

Smokefree outdoor policies are common in Australia and the USA, including some for beaches, outside buildings and in restaurant patios.

"It's likely that smokefree outdoor policies in New Zealand will spread to wider settings, " says Dr Thomson, "to shop entrances, the outside of cafes, and to some beaches and whole shopping streets."

Other research by the University of Otago, Wellington, and the Health Sponsorship Council, has found increasing public support for smokefree outdoor children's areas. This includes 66% support from smokers for smokefree playgrounds, and majority public support for all outdoor areas that children use to be smokefree.

However, some advocates of 'smokers rights' and libertarian ideas have been vehement in their opposition to even voluntary smokefree outdoor policies. For instance, local authority councillors have described such policies as a sign of 'a Big Brother mentality', 'draconian', and as marginalising smokers.

"This type of opposition places smokers rights over children's rights," says Dr Thomson.

This study was funded by the Health Research Council. Macau, 24 September 2009 - Speaking to over 180 representatives from airports, concessionaires and brands who are attending this year's ACI Airport Business and Trinity Forum, ACI World Director General Angela Gittens called on airports and their commercial business partners to work closely together to achieve twin goals of customer service excellence and revenue diversification. Gittens said, "Because airports subsidize airline operations to maintain the safety and security of their facilities, they have turned increasingly to expanding revenue from commercial activities. They are vital resources for airport development and our partners in building customer satisfaction and loyalty. That is why this annual business conference has become so important to our retailers and to the brands they bring to airports. The high level of participation reflects the immediacy of the current external pressures affecting the whole travel chain and the recognition that this forum provides a truly unique opportunity to enhance the "trinity" relationship." A joint venture between Airports Council International (ACI) and 'The Moodie Report,' the conference is being hosted by CAM - Macau International Airport Company Limited. The two-day programme focuses on new ideas and innovative solutions that help bridge economic volatility and build stable financial revenue streams. This open dialogue and mutual understanding ultimately delivers greater benefit to the consumer. Gittens reviewed key priorities and business drivers that shape airport business development. "Four cornerstones of service constitute our day-to-day priorities: safety and security, economic vitality, environmental responsibility and customer service excellence. In a downturn, we can't maintain half a runway or interrupt construction that is underway. Facilities and staffing do not drop even if traffic drops noticeably. "We have a corporate responsibility to ensure cost-efficient operations, making wise investments in facilities, equipment and training for personnel. ACI forecasts, recently revised in light of the economic downturn, indicate that growth and future expansion have been delayed, but not removed. So capacity and building for the future remain a key concern. In June and July airports reported the first signs of traffic stabilisation in developing markets such as China, the Middle East and Latin America. "As responsible airport business managers, it is our job to diversify wisely and build up a robust business model that can weather tough times. Our communities count on us for long-term management perspicacity, not just short term crisis problem solving. The increasingly entrepreneurial approach of today's airports and close collaboration with our commercial partners underpins a stable business model that is good for us and good for the communities we serve."