Policy and Legislation

Policy and legislation are used to encourage practices that promote public health, discourage those practices that are unhealthy or harmful, and control communicable diseases and risk factors in the environment.

In some circumstances, effective enforcement of legislation by policing can be a very effective way of influencing behaviour. For example, enforcement of the wearing of seat belts and the introduction of breathalysers have resulted in a decrease in road traffic accidents in most areas where they have been introduced. These measures were only effective when they were made compulsory and people's compliance was monitored by the police (Egger et al 1990:101).

Healthy public policy

…Each person is responsible for ensuring that he or she eats a healthy diet, gets enough exercise and avoids smoking and excessive drinking. Nevertheless, we now know the importance to health of social and economic circumstances that are often beyond individual control…[it is essential that] policy - at all levels in government, public and private institutions, workplaces and the community - takes proper account of the wider responsibility for creating opportunities for health.

Wilkinson and Marmot 1998:7

The actions of people at community level can influence policy development and lead to the creation of 'healthy public policy'. Some policies have become law. For example in the ACT, smoking is not allowed in enclosed public places and it is enforceable under legislation.

An example of community support for public policy change

As more information about the health effects of active and passive smoking becomes available, community support and pressure for smoking restrictions and policies in public places grow. Attitudes to smoking in the NT are changing with recent surveys showing that the majority of Territorians (including smokers) supported smoke-free areas in enclosed public places.

Many shopping centres and restaurants in the NT have introduced 'no smoking' policies due to community demand and for health and legal reasons. A number of Aboriginal communities have also identified smoking as a concern. They have introduced 'no smoking' policies in areas such as women's centres, school grounds and council buildings.

The more community support and involvement in the introduction of policies, the more likely it is they will be successful. As the trend to introduce smoke-free policies in the NT continues, it is likely we will see a decrease in cigarette consumption and reduced morbidity and mortality due to smoking.

Lee Wood, Project Officer
Tobacco Action Project, Alcohol and Other Drugs Program

		See 'Environmental Health', 'Alcohol and Other Drugs', and 'Food and Nutrition' chapters for the main pieces of legislation that relate to each area


		See 'Five action areas for health promotion' at the beginning of this chapter

		See 'Towards a Healthy Health Centre' chapter for a section on policies