Smokefree outdoors 'can discourage users'

Extending the smoking ban outside bars would curb social smoking in New Zealand, a study has found.

A University of Otago-led study has found people use alcohol as their excuse for smoking intermittently.

International evidence suggests smoking is on the decline, but social smoking has increased.

The study, published online in the journal Tobacco Control, found social smokers did not refer to themselves as smokers and said their habit was a "temporary phase".

"Some nights I can smoke 14 or 15 ciggies or a pack while I'm drinking, but I can never do that without alcohol," a participant said.

"If I'm out having a few drinks, then I do feel like one, [a cigarette] but otherwise I just never feel like one," another said.

All but one participant backed smokefree policies outside bars, the study showed.

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