Background: A range of evidence on the success of smokefree outdoor area policies may be available from the systematic collection and analysis of discarded cigarette butts. This ongoing study will: a) Assess the extent of smoking within the grounds of two or more smokefree hospitals. b) Assess the extent of smoking in different types of ‘smokefree' recreational areas (eg, Upper Hutt ‘smokefree' playgrounds and sportsgrounds) and compare with equivalent facilities in the neighbouring local authority - Lower Hutt City.

Method: Cigarette butts will be systematically collected from several defined sites in two or more health facility grounds, and two or more ‘smokefree' recreational areas. All methodological steps (eg, times) will be standardised across the sites.

Results: Preliminary results indicate that there is considerable smoking and butt disposal in smokefree areas in smokefree hospital grounds and smokefree parks, playgrounds and sports fields. These findings are compatible with anecdotal and media reports of incomplete compliance with the smokefree rules in hospital grounds. Comparisons between areas are yet incomplete but significant differences appear to be likely.

Conclusions: Preliminary results are suggestive that systematic cigarette butt collection can be used to monitor compliance with outdoor smokefree areas in New Zealand settings.

Implications: As designated outdoor smoking areas expand nationally, agencies could consider using systematic butt collection to monitor compliance with outdoor smokefree areas, and to inform and assess their promotion.