Research suggests extending the smoke-free area outside bars could help curb social smoking, but Dunedin bar owners have called it "nanny state" and "ridiculous".
The study, conducted by University of Otago and Massey University researchers and supported by funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, interviewed 13 young adult social smokers about their behaviour.
It found social smokers did not generally see themselves as smokers, so were often not captured in population statistics, nor reached by current cessation interventions.
Lead author Prof Janet Hoek, of the University of Otago marketing department, said the introduction of smoke-free outdoor bars "could reduce social smoking by removing cues that stimulate this behaviour and changing the environment that facilitates it".
The study revealed social smokers managed the conflict between being non-smokers who smoked, by limiting where and when they smoked, and differentiating themselves from smokers to whom they often felt superior, despite some smoking to feel socially accepted.
They rationalised and justified their smoking as something which occurred only because they had been drinking. Alcohol enabled them to absolve themselves of responsibility for their actions, which they inevitably regretted.
Smoking and drinking went "hand in hand", with one participant saying: "Some nights I can smoke 14 or 15 ciggies or a pack while I'm drinking but I can never do that without alcohol.""It's a bit contradictory really because I know that it is disgusting, but I guess my ability to say no sometimes is a little bit impaired," another said.
Drinking supported and even induced "binge smoking" and yet also distanced them from this behaviour, enabling them to maintain their non-smoker persona, the study said.
However, all but one strongly backed the proposal to mandate smoke-free areas outside bars, indicating they would reduce or stop smoking.
"I probably wouldn't do it if there was nobody to get cigarettes off . . . I'm willing to go outside but I'm not willing to completely leave a club to go and find someone standing somewhere on the street down the road," one participant said.
Hospitality worker Jordan Younger believed it was a "good idea", but having smoked for the past one and a-half years, would "not be happy about it'.
"I know a few people who smoke socially, but I don't think it would stop them," he said. He also thought such a ban should be the choice of a business.
On the other hand, Janine Black, of Auckland, said the idea "would be perfect" as she "can't stand the smell of smoke".
Non-smokers wanted to enjoy sitting outside bars and restaurants without having to put up with smoke, she said.
Cafe-bar owner Olivier Lequeux said he could understand the proposal, but questioned where New Zealand would "draw the line".
"The problem is we are looking a more and more regulatory society, and what next?"
Terrace Bar owner John MacDonald agreed, calling the suggestion "nanny state".
"If you are going to ban smoking outside bars, why not ban it in the whole country? That's a pretty big infringement on people's rights. About 70% of my punters are non-smokers anyway, but those that smoke would think it ridiculous," he said.
If such a ban were introduced, it would also be "nigh on impossible" to police.
ASH director Ben Youdan believed there was "a case for reviewing" current smoke-free legislation.
"There are a lot of venues which are working around, or exploiting, the existing legislation [and] designing themselves around helping people to smoke."
