Australia
In Australia, several states have enacted smokefree air laws for workplaces and public places, some including casinos.
Tasmania: As of January 1, 2006, all public places and workplaces, including bars must be 100% smokefree. The legislation also prohibits smoking within 3 metres of entrances or exits of non-domestic buildings, furthermore at least half of the tables in outdoor dining areas must be smoke-free.
Queensland: Under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Act 2004, passed in November 2004, all workplaces, including restaurants, bars, clubs, outdoor areas where food and drink are served, and sporting stadiums are all smokefree, as of July 1, 2006. High roller rooms of casinos of exempt.
New South Wales: Most public places and workplaces are 100% smokefree. Establishments with liquor and gaming licenses are currently exempt but will be phased in by July 2, 2007 under Smoke-Free Environment Amendment Act 2004, Smoke-Free Environment Amendment Regulation 2005 and Smoke-Free Amendment (Enclosed Places) Regulation 2006. As of July 2, 2007, the only workplaces where smoking will be permitted is in private gaming areas at the Star City Casinos. Lawmakers will review this exemption on an annual basis.
Victoria: All restaurants, cafes, dining areas and shopping centres, enclosed workplaces, covered railway platforms, bus and tram stops and underage music and dance events are smokefree. Enclosed licensed premises and outdoor eating and drinking areas (where there is a roof and the wall surface area is more than 75%) must also be smoke-free as of July 1, 2007. The gambling floors of casinos are exempt.
Western Australia: As of July 2006, all hospitality venues are smokefree, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and most gaming venues. The high roller rooms in the Burswood Casino is exempt.
South Australia: Under the Tobacco Products Regulation Act 1997 most enclosed public places, workplaces or shared areas, are smokefree. Licensed premises with multiple bars, such as casinos, are exempt until November 2007, at which point all smoking rooms and designated areas will phase-out.
Northern Territory: Eating establishments, community buildings, and public transport are smokefree. For more information on the Northern Territory's smokefree legislation, visit the Department of Health and Community Service.
Australian Capital Territory: In 1994, the Australian Capital Territory became the first Australian jurisdiction to enact indoor smoking restriction legislation. Under this legislation, most enclosed public places went smokefree. Exemptions are allowed for restaurants and licensed premises which install ventilation systems. This exemtion will phase out on December 1, 2006, at which point the Smoking (Prohibition in Enclosed Public Places) Act 2003. This Act makes all public places that are, at least, 75% enclosed 100% smokefree. Read the accompanying regulations to for the definition of "enclosed" place.
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Smokefree & Related News
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St
Kilda traders are defending their customers' right to smoke ... Laws
to limit smoking areas are lagging Most
of 134 voters in online poll on smoking want public ban Risdon
smoke free War
on smoking fires up as councils urged to introduce local bans Salisbury
Council to apply for smoking bans at junior sports ovals Smoking
ban set to include outdoor dining areas Salisbury
Council rejects sports ground smoking bans Smoking
bans Smoking bans ... I find it disgusting to hop off a bus and wade through the smoke lingering in the undercover area at the entrance to the centre. It just seems ... A
BAN on smoking in outdoor areas such as playgrounds and sports ... Do you think smoking should be banned in outdoor areas such as playgrounds
... The council currently has smoking bans in place at public swimming
pools and ... Mayor
keen for smoke bans No
smoking zones Deadline
looms for say on outdoor smoking bans Mining
group rejects smoking ban Quit
Victoria steps up push to ban smoking in outdoor eating areas Glenelg
won't enforce beach smoking ban Airport
smokers break rules Smoking
ban in CBD will improve business prospects Smokers
face further bans Shire
to vote on smoke-free pools plan Sports
clubs' lure for smoking ban Success
for smoking ban YESTERDAY
was a new step towards a smoke free Lismore, with ... Experts
wary of e-cigarettes as test run looms Smoking
ban lifted in Sydney's west Council
smoking ban backflip sparks criticism Restaurant
smoking ban goes up in flames Adelaide
City Council wants public to warn Rundle Mall smokers Smoke-sick
dad imposes alfresco ban Poll
reveals fears ban leading to 'nanny' state Council
supports smoking bans Smoke-free
Maribyrnong pools and parks — no butts Casey's
new laws to hit smokers, no-rego cars State
to ban smoking in public places Council
ahead of the game State
'lags' on outdoor smoke bans Calls
to ban outdoor smoking throughout CBD Public
smoking ban move given the flick Smoking
ban debate continues Blanket
bans on outdoor smoking no panacea for tobacco control Perth
outlaws smoking in malls Council
votes to extend smoke-free zones Law
could stub out smoking on apartment balconies City
ban on smoking in malls Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi hopes a smoking ban in the Hay Street
and Murray Street malls and Forrest Place will lead to similar bans
in open areas across WA. ... In 2007, Fremantle banned smoking in alfresco
dining areas and two years ... North
shore locals voice opinions on state wide smoking bans Smoking
bans now enforced in public places across NSW Lismore
CBD now smoke-free An
election promise to count on: outdoor smoking bans coming New
anti-smoking laws take effect New
playground smoking laws mean $550 fines 30
Events to become Smoke-Free From January 2013 Mayor
welcomes beach smoking ban Crown
St Mall: thank you for not smoking Smoke-free
plan: Kick the habit, eateries told Council
ready for law on new smoking bans Fears
smoking ban would lead to abuse Tobacco
suit urged Michelle
O'Byrne Hopes for A Smoke-Free Tasmania Beach
smoking ban for summer Crown
staff forced to passive smoke Bill
to ban smoking at outdoor dining and drinking venues to be ... Australian
High Court Rejects Challenge By Big Tobacco And Determines Plain Packaging
Laws Are Constitutional And Valid - Government, Public Sector and Indigenous
– Australia PANAHI:
State flags half-hearted smokes ban ($$) YOUR
SAY: Mayor moves to ban al fresco smoking Call
to ban smoking outside school gates Union
agrees to staff working with puffing punters Councils
reluctant to enforce smoke laws Smoking
stubbed out in Ipswich Mall Parramatta
smoking ban under threat as council flags possible review Smokers
face new ban Ald Marti Zucco suggested the council ban smoking along footpaths completely
... Outdoor smoking bans may be increased to see smoking banned on footpaths
... Smoking
ban means fewer kids injured Norwood,
Payneham and St Peters Council looks at smoking bans for Parade, Norwood
Oval High
Rollers Can Continue to Smoke in Sydney's Star Casino, report Lucky
Nugget Casino Monash
smoking ban success No
Smoking At Ferry Waiting Areas Imperial
Tobacco's plain packaging 'the ultimate sick joke' Highrise
smoking bans on horizon Poder, N.; Carroll, T.; Wallace, C.; Hua, M., "Do smoke-free environment policies reduce smoking on hospital grounds? Evaluation of a smoke-free health service policy at two Sydney hospitals," Australian Health Review [Epub ahead of print], 2012. This Australian study found that smoking in Sydney South West Area Health Service's two hospitals fell dramatically over a two year period after implementation of a smokefree policy. Overall, there was a 44 percent drop in staff smoking incidents and 37 percent drop in visitor smoking incidents. Smoking remained unchanged among inpatients. Tobacco
ban for people born after the year 2000 passes Tasmanian ... Port
Macquarie outdoor restaurants go smoke free Banning
cigarettes: the next step? Australia
says no plan for total smoking ban Australian
court OKs logo ban on cigarette packs Mother's
plea for a smoke free CBD Golf
Australia adopts smoke-free policy WA
prisoners face total smoking ban in jails Smokers
are lighting up around doorways, ignoring designated ... Should smokers who ignore smoke-free zones at Melbourne Airport be
fined? Yes ... Quit Executive Director Fiona Sharkie said smoke free
areas were a key ... 3AW reporter Tom Andronas said up to 30 people were smoking within
metres ... col on Calls for smoking ban at Tullamarine ... why do they
have to stand right near the door for . ... HAVE YOUR SAY: Should smoking
be banned at Tullamarine? ... any smoking bans at Tullamarine would
be referred to the state government. A motion to rescind Parramatta Council's smoking ban in outdoor dining
areas was defeated by one vote on last night. … Flying
into a smoky haze at Melbourne Airport Smoke
ban trial at Nillumbik playgrounds NILLUMBIK council has approved a six-month trial to ban smoking at
five ... Smoking will be banned within 10 metres of children's playground
equipment. ... The bans are expected to come into force this month,
once no smoking signs have ... Court
rules Parramatta Council's smoking ban introduced incorrectly The Cancer Council has welcomed the recent court decision that ruled
Parramatta's smoking ban "invalid" but found they did have
the authority to prohibit smoking in outdoor dining areas. … Justice
Briscoe confirmed the council was within its powers to adopt smoke-free
outdoor area policies on its land, if it strictly outlined the definitions
of its policy. … The ACT government could be heading for another Human Rights Act clash
as it prepares to ban smoking in Canberra's mental health treatment
centres. … So it is no surprise that Shellharbour council wants to implement tough
new laws banning smoking on the city's beaches. The council's smoking
bans will now ... Shellharbour
lifesavers back smoking ban Shellharbour surf lifesavers have backed a planned smoking ban at the city's ... But the move is part of a broader trend for increased smoking bans in council ... Restaurant
owners celebrate right to light up RESTAURATEURS in Parramatta celebrated a court decision last week that ruled the council's smoking ban in outdoor seating areas was invalid. Debate
lights up at mental health centres The ACT government could be heading for another Human Rights Act clash
as it prepares to ban smoking in Canberra's mental health treatment
centres. Poder, N.; Carroll, T.; Wallace, C.; Hua, M., "Do smoke-free environment policies reduce smoking on hospital grounds? Evaluation of a smoke-free health service policy at two Sydney hospitals," Australian Health Review [Epub ahead of print], 2012. This Australian study found that smoking in the Sydney South West Area
Health Service's two hospitals fell dramatically over the two year period
after implementation of a smokefree policy. Overall, there was a 44
percent drop in staff smoking incidents and 37 percent drop in visitors
smoking incidents. Smoking remained unchanged among inpatients. Decision
made to go smoke free IT WAS a big decision and a long time coming: Junaa Buwa! Mission Australia
has implemented a smoke free policy. … Tobacco
Companies Advertising Continues Despite Ban There were more than 75% of the people that had seen tobacco advertising
in films, while half of them reported to see that same on TV. Moreover,
the presence ... Officers instigating the smoking ban in April therefore over-stepped
their ... Mr Besiso said the association vowed to fight any new resolution
banning smoking. ... Council's smoking in public places policy has already
banned smoking in ... The Land and Environment Court ruled that Parramatta Council adopted
an invalid no smoking policy. … A SMOKING ban will not be introduced in Coburg's Victoria St Mall following
a council decision last week. … SMOKING on footpaths surrounding Cairns Base Hospital might be a thing
of the past if Cairns MP Gavin King gets his way. … Outdoor
smoking bans in Boroondara BOROONDARA Council plans to ban smoking near playgrounds, taxi ranks,
bus and tram stops and sports grounds. … Restaurants
dispute ban on smoking NINE restaurants are fighting a Parramatta City Council ban on smoking
in outdoor dining areas in the Land and Environment Court. Report
stubs out mall smoking ban A possible ban on smoking in the Crown St Mall should be postponed
until the mall refurbishment ... The report said all but one of the
state's 152 councils had banned smoking in children's ... Council is
considering banning smoking in the mall. … The NSW Tobacco Strategy will see smoking banned in playgrounds, public
... said further bans on outdoor smoking in pubs would hurt his business,
as the ban ... Melbourne
City Council rejects plea for wider smoking ban at ... MELBOURNE City Council has rejected a plea by health groups to ban
smoking at Moomba and at Federation Square during community events. Smoking
in street warning Manly Council is writing to the hospital to remind its staff and patients
that smoking at bus stops is banned, and that the littering of cigarette
butts around Darley ... Traders
support plans for no smoking beaches “I am fine with smoking being banned on the actual beach and the
sand to protect ... He said he did not believe a smoking ban on the
beach would impact on trade. ... Banning smoking in other areas will
become easier, with councils able to ... Few fines expected under new smoking bans ... Changes being phased
in from July in the Macedon Ranges Shire will ban smoking at playgrounds
and around ... Smoking
limited to zones at Royal Adelaide Show SMOKERS will be restricted to designated zones at this year's Royal Adelaide Show. ... allow bans on smoking in outdoor areas, to take effect from next Thursday. ... If more people start to boycott events and places that ban a LEGAL pastime, ... Smoking
ban in the air A PROPOSAL to ban smoking in outdoor dining areas and playgrounds has ... Quit and the Australian Medical Association (Victoria) to extend outdoor smoking bans ... if smoking was banned in outdoor public spaces "maybe they should also ban ... district continued to "blatantly smoke in full view of signage" (banning it). Smoke
cloud lifts in eastern suburbs It is unknown how bans would be applied and enforced, as they are yet
to be ... "Smoking is already banned at Netball SA, but we will
ban it at training," he said. Smoking
ban possibility at Mitcham events Mitcham Council will investigate making its events smoke-free now that
new laws allow it to apply to the State Government to ban smoking in
public areas from ... Prospect Council will investigate making its events smoke-free now
that new laws allow it to apply to the State Government to ban smoking
in public areas from ... The second phase would implement a 10-metre smoke-free zone around
council recreation and sports areas and all outdoor events sponsored
or run by council ... Council
to vote on smoke-free plan A central Victorian council says its plan to ban outdoor smoking is
an important opportunity to change local laws for the better. Campaign
for Tobacco-Free Kids Honors Australia Attorney-General Nicola Roxon
for Leadership in Fighting Tobacco and Saving Lives The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids presented Nicola Roxon, Australia's
Attorney General and former Health Minister, with its highest honour,
the Champion ... Big
tobacco is targeting teenagers, says Tanya Plibersek Banning cigarette advertising, making it illegal to sell smokes to
minors, introducing graphic health warnings and hiking the tobacco excise
had led to a ... ... smoke free, under a Town Hall plan to ramp up smoking bans across
the city. ... David Plumridge wants to encourage festival organisers
to ban smoking at city ... WESTERN beaches could have "no smoking" sections under a
proposal to be considered by ... Mrs Burden supports a proposal to ban
smoking at the beach. … Neighbours
speak up: butt out on the balcony SMOKERS could be banned from lighting up on their own balconies under
... Residents also wanted to ban balcony barbecues and the keeping of
snakes ... Libs
Greens deny smokes ban THE Liberals and the Greens say they will not support a bold plan to
stamp out smoking among the youngest generation of Tasmanians. Support
for tobacco ban THE proposal to ban the supply of tobacco products to Tasmanians born
from the year 2000 was welcomed by two 17-year-old smokers in Hobart
yesterday. ZERO TOLERANCE: Professor Jon Berrick is urging a ban on smoking for
people born after the year 2000. Picture: RICHARD JUPE TASMANIA is being
promoted as ... Smoking
ban: restaurants vs council court case adjourned until June 7 THE Land and Environment Court stoush between restaurants and Parramatta
Council over the outdoor dining smoking ban has been adjourned until
June 7. Smoke
Ban Close Smoking
ban reprieve for nine restaurants NINE Parramatta restaurants have been given a temporary reprieve from
the council-imposed smoking ban that applied to outdoor dining areas
from today. … Council agreed to an interim order prohibiting it
from enforcing the ban on the ... They feel they will be disadvantaged
by banning smoking in their outdoor ... Canberra drivers are being warned they can now be fined for smoking
in cars in which children are travelling. The ACT Legislative Assembly
passed the laws ... BY CLARE COLLEY Orange City Council won't consider enforcing no-smoking
rules in ... at shopping centre entrances, but he had seen smokers ignoring
the ban. … How
far to go in smoking ban? A local ban would hardly be unique; smoking is being banned in parks
across North ... Similar bans exist in Chicago, Los Angeles and San
Francisco - and ... As per recent findings, it has been reported that four major Victorian
health organizations have let out a joint state that suggests statewide
ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas … As a consequence, it has
been reported that Ballarat's Golden City Hotel part-owner Simon Coghlan
has put a ban on smoking within the dining areas of his ... No
smoking here please: Five Ways restaurants enforce ban Smoking
banned at TAFE It makes the organisation the first TAFE in NSW to ban smoking completely,
and comes ahead of NSW legislation that will ban smoking in public places. Restaurants
fight smoking ban in Parramatta RESTAURANT owners against Parramatta Council's smoking ban in outdoor
dining areas are mounting a court challenge to fight the ban which takes
effect on May ... Gartner, C.E.; Hall, W.D., "Is the socioeconomic gap in childhood exposure to secondhand smoke widening or narrowing?," Tobacco Control [Epub ahead of print], March 30, 2012. In Australia, the number of households with a child under 15 years of age living with a smoker declined by 22 percent between 2001 and 2010. In this time, there was no change in the most disadvantaged households. Half of this group still had at least one smoker in 2010. The prevalence of outdoor smoking increased across socioeconomic groups by about 50 percent. The presence of a child five or younger increased the likelihood of an outdoor smoking policy. ... CRD
mulls expanding smoking ban to playgrounds Judith Cullington called a smoking ban near playgrounds "the next
logical step" for the region to take. "We don't want kids
on the playgrounds picking up ... Adelaide
City Council approves smoking ban in Rundle Mall The State Government is expected to rubber-stamp the council's Rundle
Mall smoking ban. Source: AdelaideNow ADELAIDE City Council has approved
on a ... Tobacco giant Philip Morris' Asia division is currently suing the Australian
... with a view to exporting more colorfully packaged cigarettes to
Australia. … He says surveys have shown that more people are attracted by smoke
free areas than deterred. And there's evidence that surrounding businesses
don't suffer ... Perth
airport defends smoking shelters The Perth Airport has defended the erection of a smoking shelter, ...
The shelter was put in place five weeks ago to stop people smoking in
the forecourt ... Royal
Perth Hospital policy up in smoke RPH staff say workers are at the end of their tether after being exposed
to passive smoking from voluntarily admitted mental health patients
lighting up in ... The
Hills going smoke free Australia
Said to Face WTO Complaint Over Ban on Tobacco Logos Council
supports outdoor smoking bans This calls on the State Government to bring in legislation banning
particular outdoor areas. This would ban smoking within ten metres of
children's ... Will
the end of the nicotine nightmare? MS Jones said Queensland, Tasmania, the ACT, Northern Territory and
Western Australia had all found smoke-free alfresco policies popular
and effective. Martin Palin and Peter Carroll pictured in the Lane Cove Plaza in 2006,
wanting to make into a smoke free zone. Photo: Paul Melville LOCAL councils
are ... Photo: Ian Svegovici CHATSWOOD Chamber of Commerce president Stig Falster
says delaying the state government smoke-free outdoor laws would be
“appalling”. ... "Smoke-free dining and eating is an inevitable step for which
the hospitality industry must prepare," he said. "Hotels and
restaurants have already complied ... It is a state-wide blanket reform that will overlap and strengthen
Greater Taree City Council's Smoke-Free Environment Policy which hit
the community in ... The Bega Valley Shire Council on the New South Wales far south coast
says the State Government's smoke-free laws will build on the work that
is already been ... 40000
smokers butt out in a year "We've also banned smoking in a whole range of places and we've announced we're going to ban it in other places. "What it means is the message is getting ... All
butts are off in the Hastings Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will adopt its smoke-free outdoor areas
approach progressively as funding becomes available. New
smoking bans hit public areas Health Minister Jillian Skinner this week announced she will introduce
NSW Tobacco Strategy legislation, banning smoking in all commercial
outdoor dining ... Why
even 'wowsers' argue about smoke bans So outdoor smoking bans struggle for justification. Last year, my university debated the introduction of a ban on smoking on all areas of its campuses, ... EDITORIAL:
Extending smoking bans must be carefully considered Penrith
smokers must butt out Bill
aims to restrict smoking SMOKING could soon be banned at sporting grounds, bus stops, playgrounds and the entrance to public buildings under the biggest crackdown on cigarettes by ... Yarra
Council says no to discounted permit smoking ban scheme The council voted last Tuesday to campaign for more smoke-free outdoor
areas by providing positive publicity for participating businesses.
... Tighter
smoking bans get thumbs up Legislation covering smoke-free children's playgrounds, sporting fields
when sports are being played, and covered bus shelters and taxi ranks
will be ... Victoria
primed to ban outdoor smoking Non
smoking area at Plaza expanded CAMPBELLTOWN'S main street could soon be subject to an outdoor smoking
ban in a move which has drawn support from some residents and the Cancer
Council NSW. Perth
Airport Not Building Smoking Rooms Parramatta:
City extends smoking bans to outdoors Smoking
outdoors to be banned in Boroondara Philip
Morris Sues Australia Over Tobacco Laws Councils
want a statewide ban on smoking in alfresco dining areas ATTENTION smokers: your days of puffing away in NSW restaurants are
numbered - if the state's councils have their way. ... Lung
Foundation festival allows smoking Smoking
ban near play equipment Smoking within 10 metres of children's play equipment in council-controlled parks and playgrounds has been banned by Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC). ... Smoking
ban for outdoor dining gets the vote at Parramatta Council "But when you see Auburn and Marrickville with smoking bans, ...
Flashback to last year when council had first voted for smoking ban
which Doctors
slam WA plan to lift smoking bans Doctors are urging the West Australian government to dump a proposal
to reverse smoking bans in the state's secure mental health units. ... Smoking
ban in Armidale Mall on hold EDITORIAL:
Closing in on smokers again City Hall's latest move to clean up the CBD, by banning smoking at
its Moorabool St bus interchange, may well improve the amenity of bus
stops for passengers, shoppers and retailers as it suggests. ... CITY of Greater Geelong would be the first council to ban smoking at
bus stops if plans for improving the Moorabool St bus interchange go
ahead. ... The Health Department has not issued a single fine under WA's anti-smoking
laws, with councils blaming a lack of training and resources to implement
the ban. ... YARRA Council has backed away from smoking bans in footpath dining areas - at least for now. ... Philip
Morris fumes at Australian government Outdoor
smoke bans hit hurdle Tasmania
passes tough new smoking laws Tasmania is set to become the first state or territory in Australia
to ban smoking at outdoor sporting events. ... Australia
poised to fight big tobacco in courts Tasmania
passes tough new smoking laws Plan
to ban smoking in Macedon Ranges Mental
health smoking ban set to be lifted Where
there's smoke there's mass confusion Cancer
law centre opens to fight big tobacco THE name of anti-tobacco litigant Rolah McCabe, who died from lung
cancer, will live on in a unique new Melbourne legal centre that will
explore using the law as an instrument to fight all cancers. ... The Australian (au), 2011-10-24 Christian Kerr * From: The Australian AUSTRALIA is set to reject a global push for a new tobacco levy on wealthy countries to fund health programs in the Third World. ... Smoking
ban aims to protect outdoor diners ACT
bans smoking in car with kids Uncertainty
clouds Yarra smoking ban Smoking
rules eased for part of Crown Casino CROWN Casino has been granted exemptions from smoking bans on four
separate floors of the casino complex - despite an election promise
by the Baillieu government to review the casino's special treatment.
... City
restaurants sign up to trial smoke-free al fresco dining Outdoor
smoking ban: council says more research needed Council
at odds over smoking ban Warnambool
Mayor Targets Outdoor Smokers Victoria
Council Asks For Uniform Smoke Ban HAVE
YOUR SAY: Frankston considers cutting smoke bans Victorian
councils call for statewide outdoor smoking ban Smoking
ban fails to pass vote Cafes
unlikely to support Unley smoking bans Following the council's push in January to ban smoking in parks, the
council last month announced cafe owners would get a 50 per cent reduction
on their ... Queensland
universities look to ban smoking amid complaints of secondhand smoke
STRESSED-out students could be hit with smoking bans at Queensland
university campuses after complaints of second-hand smoke outside libraries
and eating areas. ... Sydney
council considers total smoking ban Sydney
Uni moves to extend campus ban Sydney University will ban smoking across most of the campus. Photo: Louise Kennerley NICK ANDRIANAKOS was smoking on the University of Sydney's Eastern … Blacktown
club wins smokers' area test case Stafford Sanders from the Smoke Free Australia Coalition said the judgment ... ''NSW has the weakest smoke-free legislation in Australia - it's inadequate … Henley
Square butt out call In the wake of Adelaide City Council's decision to ban smoking in Rundle
Mall, Charles Sturt will consider a similar idea for the square, between
Seaview Rd ... Fishing
and smoking banned at public jetty waiting areas A BAN on fishing and smoking in waiting areas on all public jetties
in Redland City is one step closer to becoming law. At its general meeting
last week, ... Manningham
butt ban a nice little burner A MANNINGHAM council crackdown on smoking in enclosed workplaces and
littering has resulted in fines soaring almost 12-fold. In the 2010-11
financial year, ... Monash
Council stubs smokes MONASH Council last Tuesday banned smoking on council land, in its
buildings, and within 10metres of their entrances. Deputy mayor Micaela
Drieberg said the … Monash
anti-smoking laws get tougher ACT
to ban smoking in cars with kids World's
First Plain Tobacco Packaging Laws Passed by Australian ... POLL:
Call for butt ban at the Bay Smoking
banned in Parliamentary precinct Cigarette
city slow to stub out smoke What
the paper said: Smoking ban in Tassie; New bar culture for Perth; HAVE
YOUR SAY: Smoking ban bid for Victoria St Mall Smokers
could be told to butt out in Bourke St Mall SMOKERS would be forced to butt out in the Bourke St Mall under anti-smoking
laws being considered for the CBD. ... Workplace-related
smoking in New South Wales: extent of bans, public attitudes and relationships
with relapse Conclusions: Findings emphasize the low support for smoking during
or near work. Smoking outside workplaces is highly visible. Data on
relapse suggest a modest relationship with workplace-related smoking.
... Council
approves mall smoke ban Smoke
free public places wanted No
smoking ban Smoking
ban ire Industry
anger, confusion as Hobart butts out The hospitality industry is angry about new rules banning smoking in
parts of Hobart, including the waterfront. ... Hobart
City Council Imposes Ban on Public Smoking Councils
urged to clear the air Call
for more smoking bans Support
gathers for ban on office smokos Cafes
TO police new smoking ban No
smoke ban for South Bank ... yet Ipswich
lags behind smoking ban reform as Brisbane City Council imposes smoke
... Smoking
ban in Queen Street Mall could expend to taxi ranks, train stations
Sign
of things to come? Mayors
back state smoke ban Should
smoking be banned? Fee
trade-off outdoor smoking ban support Lost
pokie billions were never there WHO:
Smoking bans rise but more needed Trade
concerned over smoking bylaw scheme Tobacco
firm all of a sudden drops New York Dolls tour LEGENDARY rock'n'roll band the New York Dolls have cancelled their
Australian tour after their plans to play a series of tobacco industry
promotional events were exposed. ... Australian
government proposes what it says are world's toughest tobacco ... Tobacco advertising is already banned in Australia at the point of sale. The legislation appears certain to become law with the main opposition party indicating support. No timeframe has been announced for when Parliament will vote on the bill. ... Council
kicks butt Sydney
bans smoking on one side of the street but not the other Tea
leaf watch as jails ban smoking One-sided
ruling has an air of divisiveness Shire
urged to widen smoke bans Big
tobacco ignites legal war INTERNATIONAL tobacco giant Philip Morris will launch legal action today aimed at forcing the Gillard government to back down on its plain-packaging legislation or face a compensation bill of "billions of dollars". Parramatta
Council smoking ban stoush Baw
Baw bans smoking More
bans loom for smokers on outer Sportsgrounds
go smoke free Frankston,
peninsula businesses to butt out Prisoners
and guards to be banned from smoking under a radical trial PRISONERS and guards will be banned from smoking in jail under a radical
trial that has outraged inmates. … ... Call
for Victoria-wide smoking ban outside schools Plan
to ban smoking in all outdoor eating and drinking areas in five years
Tobacco
industry threatens to flood Australia with cheap cigarettes UPDATE 1pm: TONY Abbott says removing branding from cigarette packets
could be counterproductive but has signalled the Opposition is likely
to support the plan. ... Nation's
strictest smoking bans proposed WA would get the strongest anti-smoking laws in the country under proposals which include a complete ban in outdoor areas where people eat, watch sport or catch buses. ... SA
council investigates plan to cut fees for non smoking restaurants
Rundle
Mall upgrade a step closer Legal
move on smoking ban Smokes
ban may be extended Could
smoking be banned in Australian apartments? Potential
home smoking ban fuels fire Poker
machine revenues hurt by smoking bans, financial crisis Australia
proposes tough cigarette packaging rules More
sites set for smoking ban Smokers
enlisted to fight bans Debate
fumes as Sydney apartments stub out smoking An Australian apartment block which has banned residents from smoking
in their homes has sparked anger from civil libertarians but advocates
say it could be the way of the future for high-density living. ... Reduction
in Staff Smoking Rates in North Coast Area Health Service, NSW, Following
the Introduction of a Smoke-free Workplace Policy. Last
gasp: not even the balcony is safe for a puff Rolah
McCabe tobacco lawsuit comes to an end after 11 years THE marathon Rolah McCabe tobacco lawsuit finally ended in Melbourne
today - more than eight years after she died of lung cancer. ... What
impact have tobacco control policies, cigarette price and tobacco control
program funding had on Australian adolescents’ smoking? Findings
over a 15-year period Aims: To assess the impact of tobacco control policies relating to
youth access, clean indoor air and tobacco advertising at point-of-sale
and outdoors, in addition to cigarette price and per capita tobacco
control spending, on adolescent smoking prevalence. ... Choke
hold on smokers Yarra
Council considers outdoor smoking ban Marrickville
considers smoking ban Road
ends for smoking in public Alderman's
private loss fires up public ban HAVE
YOUR SAY: Monash drops bid for smoke ban Court
ban on granny smoking near kids A MAGISTRATE has ordered a dad to keep his children away from smokers
- including their grandmother - as part of a custody agreement. ... Baw
Baw Shire opens regional smoking debate A regional council east of Melbourne could be the first to introduce
smoking bans in outdoor areas. ... Council
to vote on public smoking ban Littering
smokers urged to get their butts off the beach Smoke
free zones for Young? Bloomfield
Hospital's hard line on tobacco Smoking
stubbed out in Castle Hill main street Call
to ban smoking at play, sports grounds Decision
time on ban Plea
to filter out Rundle Mall smokers Unley
looks at smoking bans Smoking
ban extends to outdoors at restaurants North
Sydney councillors want smoke ban Smoking
ban divides Pokies
downturn goes up in smoke No
ifs or butts, total smoking ban coming Push
to ban smoking at outdoor eating areas CENTRAL Coast residents are being urged to have their say on a statewide proposal to ban smoking in outdoor areas of cafes, restaurants and pubs. The Cancer Council’s Central Coast office wants people to make
a submission to the public consultation process which closes at 5pm
on Friday ... Yarra
turns down proposal for smoking bans YARRA Council has no plans to introduce smoking bans in outdoor dining areas, parks and playgrounds despite a Quit Victoria push for further action. Quit sent all Victorian councils an information pack earlier this month with advice on how to develop, implement and communicate smoke-free areas ... Mums
want Marrickville smoking ban Their children’s health is the number one priority for these new mums. That’s why they want to see smoking banned in outdoor dining areas. The group of Marrickville women meet up weekly but find it difficult
to select cafes where they can enjoy al fresco dining without the cigarette
smoke wafting in their direction ... Smoke
ban on table in Marrickville WOULD it impact your life drastically if smoking was banned in public areas throughout Marrickville? There are two sides to this story - smokers, who would more than likely be unimpressed, and non-smokers, who would probably be jumping for joy. Marrickville Council currently has a draft smoke-free policy on exhibition
and is asking the public for their thoughts .. WAGGA cafés and restaurants have thrown their support behind a proposed statewide ban on smoking in outdoor eateries and alfresco dining areas. Owner-operators at Wagga cafés Storehouse Deli, Café Cucina, Cache, Mates Gully and Uneke Lounge and Italian restaurant La Porchetta believe the state government should introduce a blanket ban on smoking in outdoor eateries. According to Café Cucina’s Vicki Higginson the Wagga businesses are proof smoking bans do not affect profit or significantly decrease patronage. She yesterday argued that vigorous opposition to the ban on the grounds
it will have an adverse economic impact on the hospitality industry
has been demonstrated to be unfounded in Wagga ... Glen
Eira Council hazy on smoke ban GLEN Eira Council is hazy about banning smoking outdoors, while outlawing the habit in alfresco dining areas may be on the cards in Port Phillip as pressure from anti-smoking campaigners mounts. The Heart Foundation and Quit sent “tool kits” to councils last week, encouraging bans in parks, playgrounds and alfresco dining areas. Glen Eira deputy mayor Jamie Hyams said the idea had some merit, “but we’d need to be careful before limiting people’s freedom’‘. “Smoking is certainly not something I’ve done or am in favour of, but it’s not illegal. ... Smoking
bans still on back-burner SMOKING-related illnesses account for 46 deaths in Wyndham each year, but the council is yet to consider smoke-free policies being promoted by two health organisations. The Heart Foundation and Quit are urging councils across Victoria to introduce smoke-free outdoor policies. They have sent councils toolkits detailing how they can ban smoking in areas like parks, playgrounds and outdoor dining areas. According to Cancer Council Victoria data, Wyndham is 31st out of Victoria's 221 local government areas, with 13.1 per cent of all deaths attributed to smoking. It is one of the highest ranked areas for smoking in western Melbourne. Heart Foundation CEO Kathy Bell said smoke-free outdoor areas were already the norm in other parts of the country. ... Port
Phillip's big butt-out looms OUTLAWING smoking in outdoor dining areas could be on the menu for Port Phillip as pressure from anti-smoking campaigners mounts. The Heart Foundation and Quit sent out “tool kits” last week, encouraging Victorian councils to start ban smoking in parks, playgrounds and alfresco dining areas. Port Phillip mayor Rachel Powning said smoking had been banned on Port
Phillip beaches since December and there may be support to ban it from
alfresco dining areas when the issue is discussed at council this year
... Smoking
bans fires up Fairfield residents SMOKERS would be banned from lighting up in Fairfield's alfresco dining areas under a proposal being considered by the state government. The statewide ban would make smoking illegal in public outdoor areas
including pools, taxi ranks and malls ... Outdoor
smoking bans on agenda The Baillieu government will be urged in the new year to introduce smoking bans that are likely to target alfresco dining areas, beer gardens, and outdoor areas popular with children. … Parramatta
Council re-introduces smoking after petition No
butts: NSW gets tough on smokers The New South Wales Government has defended a proposal for tougher restrictions on smoking in public places. The Health Minister has denied he released the discussion paper on the bans ahead of next year's election in an effort to politically wedge the Opposition. In the 1980s it was offices; in the 1990s airlines and public buildings as well as the public advertising of tobacco products. During the past decade restaurants, cars with children, as well as some beaches have seen smoking banned. Now New South Wales is going further, listing enclosed public areas
such as pools, stadia and taxi ranks ... Parramatta
pro-smoking petition a sham THE petition which led to Parramatta Council’s shock reversal of its ban on smoking in alfresco dining areas is a sham with apparent false names and signatures, a council report has revealed. The report shows the petition calling for council to reverse its planned smoking ban featured names with no addresses and ``names and signatures that could have been written by the one individual’‘. The report, from senior council staff, said the petition did not meet council’s guidelines as 6138 of the 7418 signatures did not have full addresses ... SAVE
OUR CBD: Get tough on smoking BANNING smoking in Geelong's mall will be one the measures considered in a bid to breathe life back into the city's dying heart. The plan would put an end to big groups of young people converging in the mall and puffing away on cigarettes. The move follows one being trialled in Frankston, where anyone caught smoking in one of the town's three main streets, including two malls, is fined $110 ... Residents'
group calls for ban on smoking in park lands CIGARETTES are the latest target of parklands lobbyists, who want a ban on smoking because of pollution caused by toxins in butts - and smoke nuisance. The South East City Residents Association, backed by the Parklands Preservation Association, has asked Adelaide City Council to enforce a smoking ban. Residents Association secretary Heather Nimmo said smoking only should be allowed near a few butt-out bins. "The problem is worst in Victoria Park," Ms Nimmo said. "Despite the best efforts of the car race organisers, people still just drop their butts when they have finished with them, and they are everywhere." "The smoke also is an issue for some people who say you sit in
a park and you don't want a cloud of smoke, in the same way people outside
cafes now hate it because all the smokers have been sent outside ... Smokers
face more bans A RESOUNDING “butt out” is the message the Randwick community has delivered in the lead-up to a council meeting tonight that will rule on the proposed no smoking in bus shelters policy. In fact, many residents have called for more public space to be designated smoke-free before tonight’s meeting, which is expected to deliver a ban on smoking in bus shelters ... Valley
butts out of smoking ban MOONEE Valley Council will not follow Frankston Council's lead in banning smoking in main streets. Frankston's outdoor smoking ban has stirred much public debate in Melbourne. But despite support it received from Quit Victoria and the Heart Foundation for its initiative, Moonee Valley has no plans to widen bans to include street smoking in its policy. Moonee Valley mayor Shirley Cornish said the council had no plans at this stage to change its policy. "Moonee Valley City Council's only smoking ban is near playgrounds on council land, where people cannot smoke within 10metres of the playground edge," she said. Quit executive director Fiona Sharkie said there was a "growing level of approval in Victoria", even among smokers themselves, to ban smoking in public spaces ... Hume
will study smoke ban Hume Council says it will consider banning smoking in certain areas if an approach was made by a body such as Quit Victoria or the Heart Foundation. Frankston's ban on smoking in some main streets has prompted much public debate. Macedon
Ranges rules out smoking ban MACEDON Ranges Shire Council will not be following the footsteps of Frankston's controversial smoking ban. The bylaws have prompted much debate in Melbourne, but despite Frankston having received support from Quit and the Heart Foundation for its initiative, Macedon Ranges has no plans to follow suit. CEO Peter Johnston said: "Macedon Ranges Council, to my knowledge, hasn't ever discussed the issue". "It's legal to smoke. People understand the risks. Sometimes it's freedom of choice of people". Quit executive director Fiona Sharkie said there was a growing level
of approval in Victoria about banning smoking in public spaces, even
among smokers ... Cafes
want outdoor smokers to butt out A UNIFORM ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas being considered by the state government is supported by almost 80 per cent of cafe and restaurant owners and managers, a report by the Heart Foundation and Cancer Council NSW has found. The new five-year NSW Tobacco Strategy, which is yet to be approved by cabinet, is believed to recommend the introducing smoking restrictions in crowded outdoor areas such as playgrounds, outdoor cafes and shopping malls. The survey of 450 cafe and restaurant owners and managers, conducted
by Ipsos-Eureka last month, found eight out of 10 believe a statewide
ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas would be fairer than the current
arrangement where the rules vary from suburb to suburb. Half of all NSW councils have some sort of ban on smoking in outdoor
areas. Of those, 14 per cent cover alfresco dining areas ... Australia
to restrict internet tobacco advertising SYDNEY, Nov 19 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Australia will move on Wednesday to restrict internet tobacco advertising, preventing retailers from promoting cheap or tax free cigarettes, as part of a campaign to cut smoking rates by 10 percent by 2018. Young Australians, aged 24-29, currently have the highest rate of smoking among Australians, who currently have a nearly 20 percent rate of smoking overall. Australia has some of the world's toughest tobacco advertising restrictions and already bans advertising on television and radio, in newspapers and magazines, and at sporting events. Retailers are prohibited from displaying cigarette packets in shops
and cigarette packets carry graphic images of cancer and a health warning
that smoking causes cancer. ... Total
smoking ban set for Brisbane's Queen Street Mall QUEEN Street Mall smokers face re-education before they are fined, says Lord Mayor Campbell Newman. The Brisbane City Council today announced the Queen Street Mall and Albert Street cross mall will become totally smoke-free, with smokers facing $200 fines if they light up. “People will not just be fined. There will be a period of education, a period here there will be no fines issued and even when the local law comes into affect and it’s a full go live people will not just automatically be fined," Cr Newman said. "They will always be asked to move on, put the cigarette out, they will always be given the opportunity to understand there is a local law before any fine is issued." ... No
smoking ban for Wodonga A SMOKING ban in Wodonga's business district is not on the city's radar. Wodonga mayor Mark Byatt said council may look at the results of a new six-month trial at Frankston, but said a ban on smoking in public areas was not on council's agenda because of the Border city's main street shopping and business infrastructure. Would you like to see smoking banned on Border streets? Click here and have your say "They' ve got malls, we haven't got malls,." Cr Byatt said. "But it's something that could come onto the radar as the central
business district develops down the track. ... Smokers
to have a fine time at the beach this summer NO-SMOKING bans are set to be enforced at St Kilda’s beaches as part of a clamp down on discarded cigarette butts and glass. The bans were expected to be imposed by Port Phillip Council on Monday night - and, if approved, will be the first of the kind by a metropolitan council, following similar guidelines enforced by the Surf Coast Shire in the coastal towns of Torquay, Anglesea and Lorne. The Surf Coast Shire’s No Butts, No Cuts regulations apply to 55 kilometres of the state’s coastline and was the first such program enacted in Victoria. Port Phillip’s bans will stretch the length of the municipality from Elwood to Port Melbourne. The laws, to come into effect on December 1, will empower police and local laws officers to issue $100 on-the-spot fines. Marketing for the Surf Coast laws promotes year-round bans on smoking and the use of glass containers on any sand areas of its beaches, while glass is also banned on foreshore grass areas during the Christmas and New Year period ... Steve
Price: Smoking ban makes little sense LAST Friday night, standing out the back of the Sydney Convention Centre were a billionaire media mogul, a senior Federal Opposition frontbencher and a national TV star. The one thing all three - and, I must confess, myself as well - had in common was that we were smoking. In my case it was a cigar but two of the other three were smoking cigarettes. Naming the people indulging in their nicotine addiction is these days more dangerous than identifying a functioning recreational drug user. You won't get the names out of me. Smokers are the new pariahs. . . . Smokers at some point are going to have to rise up against these restraints aimed at stamping out the consumption of what is, after all, a legal product. ... Frankston
smoking ban ignites A SMOKING ban in Frankston has ignited tensions among locals. A six-month trial began yesterday with signs warning of fines up to $2000 unveiled by Frankston City Council. The ban across outdoor malls in Shannon and Station streets, along with Young St opposite the Frankston train station, prompted angry reactions from smokers yesterday. Albert Johnston, 68, a Frankston resident for 20 years, said the ban went too far. "Why shouldn't you be able to smoke - why don't they ban breathing?" Mr Johnston said. ... Smoking
ban in Frankston streets ignites fiery debate A BAN on smoking in a popular shopping area in Frankston has already ignited tensions in the bayside suburb. Smokers furious with the ban have declared the move a waste of time that ignores greater priorities. Local Rod Mottram said as a smoker he was disappointed with the move. "There are no dogs allowed in Frankston or alcohol, yet every day people are walking dogs and drinking alcohol, and they do nothing," Mr Mottram said. Rhiannon Brown works at the L'Opera Patisserie in the Shannon St Mall and said the ban has already cost them business. "We have had a group of seven or eight people who have been coming
here every day say they can't come any more," she said. ... Smoking
ban 'too costly' for council WA's tough anti-smoking laws are failing to be enforced by councils amid growing concerns about the cost and drain on resources. Under the rules, which came into force a month ago today, councils are responsible for enforcing the ban on smoking in restaurant and cafe alfresco areas, near playground equipment and between the flags at beaches. The ban on smoking in cars carrying children under 17 is monitored only by police, who pass on details of offenders to the Health Department to determine and issue penalties. This week, the City of Melville joined a growing chorus of councils
highlighting the impost of the laws on resources, with councillors voting
to write to local MPs highlighting the cost implications and lobbying
for any funding it deemed necessary. ... Calling
it quits - Strathfield Council considers smoking ban Smokers
comply with CBD ban Greater Taree City Council was unsure just how successful the new public smoking ban would be when it was first put in place but, three months on, the council’s environmental health team leader, Daryl Pasfield, said it has enjoyed great support. Not one infringement notice has been issued under the new smoking regulations, which make it illegal to smoke in areas such as children’s playgrounds, sports facilities, outdoor eating areas and bus stops and taxi ranks. “To date there has been wide acceptance and compliance with the policy, very good support from our local businesses and no complaints have been received,” Mr Pasfield said. Mr Pasfield said council had always considered punitive action as a last resort. “Enforcement of the policy was always intended to be by education, persuasion and self-policing,” he said. ... No
butts about smoke-free policy SMOKERS appear to be largely in favour of Eurobodalla Shire Council’s smoke-free outdoor areas policy, which is to be introduced on November 1. The policy will create smoke-free zones in outdoor dining areas on council-controlled land and within 10 metres of children’s playgrounds, tennis courts and swimming pools. Batemans Bay’s Will Charles gave the new policy the thumbs up. “I am in support of it,” he said. “Even though I’m a smoker, I am very considerate and I don’t smoke in front of children or people who don’t smoke. If someone is near me when I am smoking, then I go away." ... Melbourne
Council says no to smoke ban MELBOURNE Council is resisting a push from anti-smoking groups to ban smoking at cafes, shopping strips and sports grounds. After Monash Council earlier this month voted for public consultation on possible outdoor smoking bans, Quit Victoria has called on the city council to bow to public opinion and follow suit. A 2009 Quit poll of 4501 Victorians found that 77 per cent believed
smoking should not be allowed in outdoor areas where children were present,
71 per cent disapproved of smoking in alfresco dining areas and 66 per
cent didn’t want smoking at tram and bus stops ...s Tassie
council calls for smoking ban A local council in Tasmania has urged the state government to impose a total ban on smoking and the sale of tobacco products, in a likely Australian first. The Burnie City Council, on the island state's northwest coast, has unanimously passed a resolution supporting a "complete ban on the sale and use of tobacco products in Tasmania". And if total bans are not possible, the council says government should instead ban smoking inside private homes where a child or dependent person is present, plus in "any outdoor area attached to a personal living space". Anti-tobacco lobby group ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) says the council's position is unique in Australia, though it is similar to the tough stance taken by New Zealand's Maori party. ... Smokers
a pain in the butt for littering A new survey has given the nation another reason to malign smokers - they are to blame for most of Australia's litter. The Keep Australia Beautiful national litter index points to cigarette butts as the most common item of litter in 2009/10. The national survey, which has been running for five years, found the most litter per 1000 square metres in Tasmania, and the least in Victoria. The national average was 66 items of litter per 1000 square metres or 7.55 litres in volume. Cigarette butts were clearly the most common kind of litter counted, with 32 butts per 1000 square metres in the 2009/2010 survey, up from 30 butts in the previous count. ... New
laws a breath of fresh air NEW smoking legislation will come into place today, making Western Australia home to some of the toughest anti-tobacco laws in the country. The Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act 2009 was passed by the Western Australian Parliament last year and is aimed at protecting children and adults from the harmful consequences of passive smoking and restricting the promotion of tobacco products. For retail outlets, except specialist tobacco retailers, tobacco product displays will be banned from today. NewsXpress Margaret River manager Andrew Frith said the display cabinet behind the store’s counter had been covered in so the tobacco products were no longer visible. . . . Tavern operator Rob Gough said in general he had noticed a decrease in the number of people smoking and an increase in the level of consideration from those that do. “A few years down the road we may not have smoking in public places,” he said. “I think everyone is enjoying the clean air.” New
smoking laws drain on resources say councils From tomorrow, it will be illegal to smoke on swimming beaches, within ten metres of playgrounds and in cars with children. Smoking will be banned in most al fresco eating areas and retailers will no longer be allowed to display cigarettes or smoking implements. While police will be responsible for monitoring smoking in cars, local governments will have to enforce most of the new laws. Broome Shire President Graeme Campbell says it is a flawed system. "Governments, both federally and state, bring in laws involving local government without resourcing," he said. ... Backlash
from the local Greek Australian community for smoking Despite anticipated backlash from the local Greek Australian community,
Monash City Council is hoping to ban smoking in outdoor areas such as
cafes and sports grounds. As a result of a council meeting on Tuesday night, the council will
now push ahead with community consultation on banning smoking in outdoor
areas. Councillor Paul Klisaris, who initiated the proposal, said it was important that local government promote an anti-smoking message, although he anticipated resistance from Greek Australians in the area. ... Poll:
Smoking bans Monash City Council is considering a ban smoking outdoors in public places. Do you agree with a ban on smoking outdoors at public areas such as cafes, football grounds and shopping centres? Yes 67% No 33% Total votes: 6672. Glenorchy
eyes smokes ban GLENORCHY'S shopping strips could be the next major public spaces to become smoke-free. At this week's Glenorchy City Council meeting, aldermen decided to broaden a recommendation to declare the Tolosa St bus interchange smoke-free. The council will consult the public about banning smoking in busy areas of Glenorchy and Moonah's central business districts and at sporting venues. Mayor Adriana Taylor said community and business surveys would be carried out to discover what locals thought about smoking bans. Ald Taylor said there were several good reasons to consider smoking restrictions. "We have one of the highest rates of lung cancer in Tasmania so it is a health concern and it costs the state $900 million a year in smoking-related health costs, so some of that must be happening in our area," she said. "It's an amenity issue for people who suffer from passive smoking." ... Gaffe
sounds smoke alarm LORD Mayor Robert Doyle has caused a storm by suggesting there is no evidence passive smoking causes lung cancer. Cr Doyle, who is also chairman of Melbourne Health, told 774 ABC Radio: ''I don't know of a case of cancer that has been caused by passive smoking.'' When told there has been, he said: ''Have there? Really? I don't know of one. I am happy to be corrected.'' The lord mayor was discussing plans by Monash City Council to consult residents about the possibility of banning smoking at outdoor cafes and sporting events. He said there had been no discussion at Melbourne City Council to extend smoking bans. Mike Daube, professor of health policy at Curtin University and president of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, said: ''There is very clear evidence on passive smoking and lung cancer. The lord mayor should be ashamed of himself for making a comment like that. It sounds to me very ill-informed and irresponsible.'' Mr Daube said Cr Doyle was behind the times, with jurisdictions throughout Australia - including Western Australia - introducing laws to curb smoking at outdoor cafes. ''It is the sort of comment you used to get in the 1970s and '80s."
... Councils
split on smoke laws FRANKSTON City Council has joined the Monash council in moving towards a strengthening of laws restricting outdoor smoking, while the Glen Eira and Port Phillip councils are in discussions on the issue. But the Stonnington and Maribyrnong councils believe existing laws are strong enough. Monash City Council will today vote on a motion to begin community consultation on extending bans on smoking in outdoor areas including cafes, sporting clubs and shopping areas, while Frankston City Council has already begun seeking community feedback on a proposed trial of a smoke-free area in the city centre. Frankston mayor Christine Richards said the trial would be at malls and pedestrian areas around Frankston. ''[The trial is] in the interest of public health, and we have been interested to hear the public's thoughts,'' she said. ''Our preferred sites have substantial pedestrian traffic and involve adults and young people alike. ''When they ask why we're trialling a 'no-smoking zone', we'll give
them an answer that smoking takes the lives of 4000 Victorians each
year." ... Outrage
over Big Tobacco campaign HEALTH groups have called on federal authorities to pull ads claiming plain cigarette packaging ''won't work, so why do it'', after Big Tobacco was revealed to be behind the campaign. Documents leaked to The Sydney Morning Herald show the tobacco industry is funding the campaign to stop plain packaging being introduced. Further, it is employing the public relations firm to run the campaign, approving who will do media interviews and managing the strategy for lobbying government. VicHealth chief executive Todd Harper called for urgent action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ''to shut down this dishonest campaign''. He said the leaked information showed ''how far the tobacco industry was prepared to go to buy the outcome that it wanted'' and if the campaign succeeded, more people would die. ... AUDIO:
AM - Big tobacco's $4 million grand final ad blitz (Excerpt from tobacco ad) ACTOR: The Government plans to put all cigarettes in plain packaging. ACTOR 2: But this was rejected in the UK and Canada. ACTOR 3: And there's no real evidence it works. (end excerpt) JENNIFER MACEY: The ABC's Lateline program has obtained documents including an email which says the budget for this weekend's advertising blitz is almost $4 million. Professor Simon Chapman from the school of public health at the University of Sydney has seen the documents. SIMON CHAPMAN: The extraordinary proposition here is that the industry are throwing millions and millions of dollars at the idea that plain packaging won't work. Why are they spending all this money trying to defeat something which won't work? If it won't work, it's not going to hurt them. Leaks
reveal over $6m spent on tobacco front group Leaked documents have revealed tobacco companies funnelled more than $6 million into establishing an Australian front group, just months after a New Zealand retailers' group was also found to have links with the tobacco industry. The documents show the newly-formed Alliance of Australian Retailers, which was set up last month to fight the planned introduction of plain cigarette packaging in Australia, has received over A$5 million (NZ$6.3 million) from the three biggest tobacco giants. . . . The revelation comes just months after a recently-established New Zealand group, the Association of Community Retailers (ACR), was also revealed to have received support from the tobacco industry. The ACR, which was critical of the New Zealand Government's tobacco price hikes in April, has rejected suggestions it was backed by tobacco cash and said it was entirely funded by its small retailer members. But Imperial Tobacco's New Zealand sales and marketing director, Tony Meirs, told a select committee in May that his company had provided public relations advice to the group through a PR agency, Omeka Public Relations. Bloggers have revealed a number of other links between Omeka Public Relations, the ACR and Imperial Tobacco. ... State
mulls uniform ban on outdoor smoking THE state government is considering a statewide ban on smoking in outdoor areas such as alfresco dining areas and children's playgrounds following lobbying by local councils and health groups. The new five-year NSW Tobacco Strategy, which is yet to be approved by cabinet, is believed to recommend the introduction of uniform anti-smoking laws in crowded outdoor areas such as concerts, markets and shopping malls. Half of all NSW councils now have some sort of ban on smoking in outdoor areas, up from 38 per last year, and 18 per cent in 2007, a report released today by the Heart Foundation finds. However, the rules vary between suburbs, with neighbouring councils
implementing smoke-free policies in a piecemeal fashion since Manly
Council became the first jurisdiction in the country - and only the
second in the world behind Los Angeles - to legislate a smoking ban
on beaches in May 2004 ... Smoking
ban burns parents NEGLIGENT parents are being slapped with hefty fines for lighting up cigarettes in cars carrying children. The problem is worst in the state's west, where police caught 62 smokers in the six months after the passing of a law decreeing that cars carrying children be smoke-free. Women smokers aged 30-39 are the worst offenders, figures show. ... Plan
to expand smoking ban SMOKING would be banned in all outdoor areas at dining, sporting and cultural venues under a new State Government anti-smoking proposal. Cigarette vending machines also face the axe, as do new licences for specialist tobacconists. Releasing a discussion paper on possible anti-smoking measures yesterday, Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne said the proposals aimed to cut smoking rates, protect people from passive smoking and "de-normalise" smoking for children. "The expansion of smoke-free areas is aimed at protecting members of the public and employees who can't easily avoid environmental tobacco smoke," Ms O'Byrne said. ... Warringah's
new smoke-free rules start ALFRESCO diners in Warringah will now be able to eat in a smoke-free environment with the council’s new smoking policy coming into effect today. Smoking is now banned from alfresco dining on council land as well
as in constructed seating areas at sporting grounds and golf courses,
and within 10 metres of the boundaries of sporting grounds and other
public areas during events ... New
Anti-Smoking Measures Up For Discussion The Minister for Health, Michelle O'Byrne, today revealed the details of possible new measures to cut smoking rates, protect people from passive smoking and de-normalise smoking for children. Ms O'Byrne released a discussion paper for public comment outlining 12 tough proposals including banning smoking in all outdoor dining areas, near playgrounds and in all pedestrian malls, bus malls and covered bus shelters. Based on the 2007-08 ABS National Health Survey, 24.9 per cent of Tasmanian adults were smokers, significantly higher than the national average of 20.8 per cent. . . . "And so these proposals target two areas of legislative reform: increasing restrictions on tobacco sales and displays, and expanding smoke free areas. "The expansion of smoke free areas is aimed at protecting members
of the public and employees who can't easily avoid environmental tobacco
smoke. ... Wollongong's
smoking crackdown They have already been told to butt out in public indoor spaces, now smokers may have to add Wollongong's outdoor recreation areas to a growing list of no-go zones. Wollongong City Council is seeking to make public swimming pools, sportsgrounds and playgrounds smoke-free zones It will present a draft proposal of the plan at an ordinary council meeting tomorrow. The proposal follows a 12-month voluntary trial of smoke-free signs
at 156 playgrounds across the city ... Community
favours mall smoking ban A ban on smoking in Queen Street Mall is closer than ever with community consultation closing, following overwhelming support for the proposal. Brisbane City Council is considering a partial or total ban in the CBD shopping and dining precinct. It is now assessing the opinions of about 2000 residents who registered their vote during the month-long community consultation. About 700 people filled out feedback forms, 75 phoned the council and
more than 1230 people made their opinion known via the council's online
blog, a council spokeswoman said. ... $37,000
goes up in a smoke-free puff KU-RING-GAI Council will spend $37,000 telling people not to smoke within 10m of 400 buildings and places. The decision last week to expand its smoke-free policy means the council will foot the bill for metal signs ($30,000), stickers, plexiglass signs and newspaper ads. Bans will come in force in stages from November 1, starting with 276 council-owned and managed buildings. From mid-next year the bans will extend to 43 alfresco dining areas, 80 taxi ranks and bus shelters and 11 gardens. Gladstone
urged to be smoke-free Outdoor
area smoking ban SMOKING in alfresco dining areas will be banned in Parramatta, Epping, Eastwood, Carlingford, Melrose Park and all of Dundas from January 1. Parramatta Mayor Paul Garrard said a resident survey carried out last year found that 87 per cent of residents supported alfresco dining areas being smoke free. “Local diners can now breathe easier, quite literally, knowing that their concerns have been met,” Cr Garrard said. ... No
ban on smoking at bus stops Abbott
denies role in pro-smoking campaign SHERYLE MOON, who is heading a tobacco-financed campaign to ditch Labor's plan for plain packaging for cigarettes, had a warm relationship with the previous government but rejects suggestions she is in league with the Coalition on her new mission. Ms Moon was appointed to six positions by the Howard government but yesterday declared ''categorically'' she had not discussed with the Coalition the $5 million advertising campaign that starts today. Ms Moon, who is chief executive of the newly formed Alliance of Australian Retailers which is mounting the attack, was appointed to honorary and paid positions, including John Howard's science advisory council and as a general manager of a defence recruiting group. She said she had never been a member of the Liberal Party. The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, denied that the Coalition was in league with the alliance. ... Tobacco
firms fund anti-Labor ad campaign THE Australian tobacco industry will secretly fund a $5 million anti-Labor advertising blitz cooked up with the help of Liberal Party strategists for the final two weeks of the campaign. The unprecedented election attack ads over tobacco plain packaging are being fronted by a US-style retailers group registered only last week with the Australian Securities Commission and dubbed the Alliance of Australian Retailers. However, the campaign has been devised by former Howard government advisers and Liberal Party strategists and is being almost entirely funded by the tobacco industry. Starting this weekend, a series of full-page ads are planned to be placed in newspapers, followed by television ads accusing Labor of allegedly adding to people's cost of living. Specifically they will attack Labor's proposed laws on plain packaging for tobacco products. Tobacco industry insiders believe the Coalition would not pursue the proposed ban, despite Opposition Leader Tony Abbott claiming in April that he would not block the Government's legislation - which is still before Parliament. ... Compliance
and Support for Bans on Smoking in Licensed Venues in Australia: Findings
From the International Tobacco Control Four-country Survey Smoking
Ban in Hobart Comes into Effect The city’s council informed that a controversial ban on smoking on outdoor malls in Hobart has all the needed support from the populace, which means that it has been taken positively. In the month of May, Hobart City Council passed a smoking ban on three outdoor malls situated in central Hobart that went into effect on Sunday. By next year’s August, smoking in Hobart’s alfresco dinning regions will become illegitimate. ... Passive
smoking on the nose in Randwick Randwick Council has invited residents to express their opinion on whether smoking at public bus shelters should be banned, and if so how. Once seen as dragging its heels on the issue, the Council now has a smoking in the public place policy, which aims to increase awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco smoke inhalation. ... Push
to extend Tasmania's smoking ban he Cancer Council and the Heart Foundation want Tasmania to implement a blanket ban on smoking in all outside public places across the state. The much-anticipated smoking ban in Hobart's Elizabeth Street Mall, the bus mall and Wellington Court took effect yesterday. The Cancer Council's Darren Carr says a blanket ban "would put all councils and all restaurants on a level playing field". Mr Carr believes most people will comply with the current smoking bans. "I don't think smokers will have much of a problem either complying
with this or in terms of respecting the wishes of us who do not smoke
to breathe clean air," he said. ... Household
Smoking Behaviours and Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke Among
Infants: Are Current Strategies Effectively Protecting Our Young? Queensland
motorists fined $200 for smoking in cars with children MORE than 150 people who have continued to smoke in cars with children - putting them at risk of serious respiratory diseases -have copped $200 on-the-spot fines since January. Queensland Health said research suggested more than 30 per cent of smokers with children aged under 14 continued to smoke in their cars. Latest figures show 158 people have ignored new state laws, introduced on January 1, banning smoking in cars carrying children under 16, and have been fined. ... Randwick
Council asks community to make decision on ban The
noose tightens around public smoking A new round of strict anti-smoking laws come into effect in September, but authorities are already looking at implementing even stricter measures to target smokers. The next step could be forcing addicts to get their cigarettes on prescription, said Western Australia's first Director General of Health and prominent anti-smoking advocate, Mike Daube. Laws passed by the state government last year, which come into effect
on September 22, have tightened restrictions in WA, making it tougher
for smokers to light up on the beach, in the car, at playgrounds or
while eating out. ... Coast
council backs off smoking ban South
Australia Bags 'Dirty Ashtray Award' for Second Year Smoking
bans 'not to be NSW-wide yet' Parramatta
smoke ban does not extend to dining New
no smoking regulations for Warringah Port
Phillip's beach ban on butts SMOKERS lighting up on the beach could soon be banned. Port Phillip Council is investigating banning cigarettes and glass to avoid “cuts and butts” on beaches from Elwood to Garden City. Smokers or people with glass bottles would be fined. Mayor Frank O’Connor said cigarette butts made up a large proportion of litter cleaned from the beach and had made the beaches less welcoming. ... Hospitals
to be smoke-free Yorke Peninsula’s hospitals and health services will be smoke-free
as of International World No Tobacco Day, May 31. ... Northern Tasmania's primary mental health ward is banning smoking on its grounds in a bid to stop patients using the habit as a way of coping with stress and anxiety. Northside at the Launceston General Hospital will instead provide in-patients with nicotine replacement therapy. Strategic Nurse Coordinator Catherine Schofield says people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are more than three times more likely to smoke than other Australians "It would appear that more people smoke that have a mental illness,"
she said. ... Council
rethinks CBD smoking ban The Orange City Council says it will consider introducing a smoking ban in the CBD, but a blanket exclusion zone is too heavy handed. A rescission motion to overturn the controversial proposal was passed at last night's meeting and further investigations will now be carried out into amending the policy. Councillors have supported prohibiting smoking outside the entrances and exits of the hospitals, shops and at bus stops. Mayor John Davis says there was a lot of concern regarding the ban's enforcement and its impact on people's rights. "That's what the councillors were worried about, the fact that
how could it be actually controlled and put into operation. There was
a very strong argument in regards to the freedom of choice," he
said. ... Butt
out, council tells smokers Discarded cigarette butts are rife in the Illawarra, tarnishing our major attractions and spoiling the natural environment. But a new approach to the perennial problem will aim to banish stray butts once and for all, as Wollongong City Council cracks down on illegal littering. The council has officially registered Wollongong as a butt-free area, as part of a program involving nine cities, according to environmental education co-ordinator Mike McKeon. "It's an initiative to try and reduce the cigarette butts that people throw on the ground. "They look unsightly, they end up in waterways, they take years to break down and they're a fire hazard," Mr McKeon said. The latest initiative follows several council schemes aimed at minimising littering of butts. "It's an individual thing. People must take responsibility for
their own actions, just like any general litter," Mr McKeon said
... Council
smoking ban prompts Govt review The Tasmanian Government says it will review legislation following a proposed council smoking ban in parts of Hobart. The Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne says a review is timely in Tasmania where one in four people smoke. The Hobart City Council will ban smokers in the Elizabeth street mall,
the bus mall and Wellington Court from August. ... Hobart
Council Cracks Down on Outdoor Smoking HOBART—Hobart City Council has imposed stringent new laws on smoking, with a ban in alfresco dining areas and three of the city's outdoor malls. The council made a unanimous decision on Monday night to ban smoking from three central Hobart malls from August 1, punishable with a $120 fine. Smoking will also be banned in all outdoor dining areas from August next year. Acting Lord Mayor Helen Burnet said the decision was not about persecuting smokers. "It's about good public health outcomes, it's about good public amenity," Ms Burnet told ABC Radio on Tuesday. "We'd like to see a reduction in death related to smoking. ... Blacktown
smokers told to "butt out'' The Cancer Council NSW and Sydney West Area Health Service have launched a project to increase the capacity of local community service organisations to address the harm caused by smoking. Blacktown’s smoking rate is currently amongst the highest in NSW and puts residents at a disadvantage when it comes to their health and finances. More than a quarter of Blacktown residents smoke, compared to just
over 18 per cent of people across the rest of NSW. The highest rates
occur amongst young people ‘at risk’, vulnerable families,
homeless people, those on low incomes and people with mental health
and substance abuse problems. ... Last-gasp
smokes ban bid A GOLD Coast city councillor wants to ban smoking in a section of Scarborough Street, Southport, in what would be a first for Queensland. Councillor Dawn Crichlow says police and traders have called for the ban, to stop youngsters and teenagers standing around smoking in the CBD area. Under Cr Crichlow's proposal, smoking would be banned on both sides
of Scarborough Street from Nerang Road south to Lawson Street ... Smoking
ban in Orange's CBD ORANGE will be home to the most severe anti-smoking measures in the country. Orange City Council last night moved to ban smoking within 70 metres of the Orange City Centre, Orange Central, Orange Arcade, Post Office Lane and the Orange Base Hospital. In another unprecedented decision, smoking will also be banned within
70 metres of any council owned facility including buildings, car parks,
playgrounds and sportsgrounds. ... Cancer-stricken
Crown worker blames high-rollers' room Four Crown Casino employees claim they have suffered adverse health effects from working in a high-rollers' room where VIP gamblers are allowed to smoke. One of the employees, a 38-year-old woman who is terminally ill with lung cancer, is seeking compensation from the casino where she has worked for several years. The mother-of two, who has never smoked, has been told that she has less than 10 months to live and is said to be in negotiations with casino management. The exclusive Mahogany Room is exempt from Victoria's strict smoking laws in a bid to attract international high-stakes gamblers. Casino staff have reportedly named that gambling room and other VIP areas where smoking is allowed "the cancer ward" ... Push
for smoke ban at Crown A NON-SMOKING Crown Casino employee who worked in high-roller rooms where smoking is permitted is believed to have contracted lung cancer. It is believed the seriously ill 38-year-old mother of two is negotiating compensation with casino management. Four other casino staff have requested to be moved from high-roller areas - with the issue of smoking cited among reasons for the transfer requests. Staff at Crown requesting to be moved from smoking areas are forced to obtain a doctor's certificate or letter to support their request. Crown Casino, the only venue in Victoria where smoking is permitted in designated indoor areas, has confirmed it is ''in private discussions with one staff member who is very ill''. In a written statement, the casino said ''expert medical advice provided
to Crown states that the nature of the illness is highly unlikely to
be related to the workplace'' ... Tasmanians
not butting out UP IN SMOKE •Number of Tasmanian adults who smoke: 25.4 per cent, or 86,400. •Those who smoke daily: 21.5 per cent (nation's highest). •Tasmanian women who smoke during pregnancy: 27.6 per cent (11.8 per cent of those smoke more than 10 a day). •Fifty per cent of the Tasmanian Aboriginal population smoke. TASMANIANS are the nation's heaviest smokers - smoking at a rate close to twice the national average. Tasmanian men aged 18 to 34 smoke most - 39.6 per cent of men in the age group smoke daily. At 32.6 per cent, young women aren't far behind when it comes to lighting up. Nearly 22 per cent of Australians smoke daily. ... Hobart
hits smokers on new front HOBART smokers are under siege from all sides with a Hobart City Council push to clamp down on outdoor smoking looming as the Federal Government jacks up tobacco taxes and forces a shift to generic packaging. HOBART smokers are under siege from all sides with a Hobart City Council push to clamp down on outdoor smoking looming as the Federal Government jacks up tobacco taxes and forces a shift to generic packaging. Smokers today will have to pay $2.16 more for a 30-pack of cigarettes,
as the Rudd Government announced a 25 per cent rise in tobacco excise,
the first rise in a decade, to cut the number of smokers and raise money
for its National Health and Hospitals Fund ... Outdoor
smoke levels in venues soars Outdoor smoke levels at hospitality venues have soared after New South Wales banned smoking indoors, according to research showing club patrons and employees face smoke levels up to 36 times the recommended exposure limits. The research from PhD student Maggie Davidson and her supervisor, Dr
Sue Reed, from the University of Western Sydney which will be presented
at the Safety In Action conference in Melbourne tomorrow. ... Council
considers smoking ban for Queen St Mall Lighting up a cigarette in Queen St Mall could soon be banned following numerous public complaints. Brisbane City Council will ask shoppers and traders if they support outlawing smoking in the pedestrian precinct. A middle-of-the-road option could include dedicated smoking areas away from residents and shops. The Queens St Mall advisory committee and members of the public have regularly complained to council about smoking in the mall, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said. "While I am reluctant to introduce more laws, it appears a significant number of the population considers this could be warranted," Councillor Newman said. ... Poll
respondents back smoking ban Butting in ... Brisbane City Council will ask shoppers and traders if they support outlawing smoking in the Queen Street Mall. There is overwhelming support for a smoking ban in Brisbane's Queen St Mall, according to a brisbanetimes.com.au poll. About 84 per cent of the 800 respondents at midday opposed lighting up in the pedestrian mall. The numbers provide strong support for Brisbane City Council, which is considering forcing smokers to butt out in the shopping precinct. ... Perth
Zoo Smoking Ban A new proposal by Perth Zoo to ban all smoking within its grounds has been welcomed by the Australian Medical Association. It was reported today that the government-run venue would introduce a complete smoking ban as part of a lucrative sponsorship deal with WA health promotion agency Healthway. The deal follows last year's decision by the Perth Royal Show to go smoke-free as part of a similar sponsorship arrangement.
"But there's many other major outdoor venues like Gloucester Park and the Ascot and Belmont racecourses which still haven’t got the message and still provide areas where people can smoke. "It's time they listened to the community - and the medical profession - and made the health of patrons and their families a priority." ... Sydney
council bans alfresco smoking Another Sydney metropolitan council has banned smoking in outdoor cafe and restaurant areas. Leichhardt Council, which covers part of the trendy inner western suburbs known for its coffee-drinking culture, on Tuesday passed a resolution to make alfresco areas smoke-free from 2011. ... Bega
council turns to on-line smoking debate The Bega Valley Shire Council on the New South Wales far south coast has turned to the internet to encourage people to respond to a draft smoke-free policy. The policy would prohibit smoking at facilities such as wharves and sporting grounds, as well as outdoor dining areas and beaches. The draft policy is available on the council's website, and an on-line public forum has been set up to offer an alternative way for people to comment. The Council's Environmental Health Co-ordinator, Greg O'Donnell, says
he is confident the community will accept the policy. ... Wider
smoking bans on the cards WARRINGAH Council looks set to extend its smoke-free zones to beaches and other areas but has not prescribed penalties for smokers who ignore them. Tonight Warringah Council will vote to declare smoke-free bans on all beaches, all playing fields, sporting grounds and sporting facilities, within all covered bus stops and taxi ranks and within 10 metres of all playgrounds. It also wants to ban smoking in all council-owned or -managed areas,
such as footpaths outside restaurants, but can’t introduce such
bans until the lease or licence for each establishment is renewed. ... Tourists
targeted in Bondi cafe smoking ban Smokers will be banned from lighting up while sitting outside cafes at Sydney's Bondi Beach from July. The Waverley Council has voted to ban smoking within 10 metres of outdoor cafes in the popular tourist spot. The restrictions apply to council-regulated footpaths, but not to internal courtyards or beer gardens. Councillor Kerryn Sloan says the ban is designed to crack down on tourists who are not in step with Australia's increasingly anti-smoking attitude. "They come from countries that have smoking still socially acceptable," she said. ... Smoking,
alcohol banned in Brelsford Park The new adventure playground in Coffs Harbour's Brelsford Park will now be smoke-free. The park has been added to a growing list of public facilities going smoke-free, such as the International Sports Stadium. ... Smoking
ban survey glitch Launceston businesses have criticised the city council for leaving them out of a survey on a smoking ban proposal. The council is investigating how aldermen ... Council
seeks comment on smoking ban Council
making smokers butt out New
smoking restrictions at SCU Australia
Invests $10.7 Million To Quell Indigenous Smoking The Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon, today announced 14 sites across the country will benefit from a $10.7 million funding round to promote innovative anti-tobacco campaigns and prevention strategies. The Australian Government’s Indigenous Tobacco Control Initiative aims to reduce smoking rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in urban, regional and remote areas. “Half of Indigenous adults are smokers, and the rate of smoking in the Indigenous population is about twice the rate of the non-Indigenous population. That needs to change,” Mr Snowdon said. “These projects are based on innovative and cultural-appropriate, community-based approaches. They are also in areas which have higher than average smoking rates,” he said. “The initiatives range from starting up a Quit Café, establishing support groups for new parents, promoting role models, to offering counselling to get their message across. ... Smokos
"relic of the past" Perth health experts are sounding the death knell for that longstanding tradition among Australian workers - the smoko - as more companies and government departments ban employees from taking cigarette breaks. The Federal Department of Health and Ageing told workers this month they could no longer take smoking breaks except during designated times such as meal breaks, and not within 15m of buildings. In WA, State Health Department-run buildings, including hospitals have enforced a no-smoko rule for two years, with staff and contractors told they could smoke only during designated award rest breaks and must leave the premises to do so. They also warned that the length of tea breaks could not be altered to accommodate smoking. Curtin University professor of health policy Mike Daube said smoking breaks were on the way out. They dated back to a time when about 60-70 per cent of men smoked but now smokers were a small minority. "It's an amazing form of discrimination that a small group of employees have been taking time out, maybe up to an hour a day off work, when everyone else is working," he said. "Ending the smoko is one of the best things employers can do for the health of their staff. ... Richmond
Valley smoke-free In a unanimous vote the council voted to adopt a smoke-free policy
at its Tuesday night meeting that includes a ban on smoking at sporting
fields, outside hotels, near barbecue areas, bus stops and taxi ranks. "It's so people don't get someone else's second-hand smoke," Cr Shirley Wheatley said. "It's a health and safety issue." The ban follows a similar one imposed by Melbourne's bayside Frankston Council this month. ... HAVE
YOUR SAY: Nillumbik mayor supports smoke ban NILLUMBIK Mayor Ken King says he would support a move to ban smoking outside the entrance to the shire’s shopping centres. But he stopped going as far as Frankston Council, which last week banned smoking outside shopping strips. ... HAVE
YOUR SAY: Smoking to be banned at two Manningham parks SMOKERS will soon face on-the-spot fines of $200 if they light up in two Manningham playgrounds. Manningham Council will ban smoking in two of the city’s most popular playgrounds - Wombat Bend, Lower Templestowe, and Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster. The ban will run for a trial period of 12 months and, if successful, could be extended to Manningham’s 144 playgrounds. ... Smoking
decision has AHA fuming THE Australian Hotels Association has reacted with fury to a ban on smoking in Launceston's outdoor dining areas, due to come into effect next year. On Monday, the Launceston City Council voted to introduce the ban next January, despite opposition from both the Launceston Chamber of Commerce and Cityprom. The council heard officers had sent out 50 surveys on the proposed ban to outdoor dining operators, but had only received one completed form back. AHA chief executive Steve Old said he was flabbergasted by the council's
decision, and that his organisation would be lobbying aldermen to overturn
it as soon as possible. ... Smoking
in outdoor dining areas set to go SMOKING in Launceston's outdoor dining areas will be banned from January 1 next year. The Launceston City Council yesterday resolved to introduce the ban in the interests of public health and consumer comfort. When the ban comes into effect, cafe, restaurant or hotel operators who allow diners to smoke at outdoor tables could have their outdoor dining permits revoked by the council. The council voted to support Alderman Ivan Dean's motion to institute the ban, despite opposition from both Cityprom and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce. . . . A wider survey of 400 Launceston residents found 80 per cent supported
a ban on smoking in outdoor dining venues. ... New
smoking bans for shopping strips Smoking in the street will be banned in three Melbourne suburban shopping strips. Frankston City Council will fine smokers up to $110 if they are caught smoking in the designated zones. The six-month trial ban will begin in September. The mayor says that if it is successful the same restrictions will pop up in council areas in Victoria and in other states. The ban is the first of its kind in Victoria and will be enforced in
two shopping malls and on the western side of Young Street during a
six-month trial. ... Fears
ban will create 'smoking ghettos' in Frankston FRANKSTON could trial Victoria’s first outdoor no-smoking zones, if the council gets support for it. Councillors this week voted to consult stakeholders, such as police and business owners, to gauge support for a six-month no-smoking zone at the entrance to Bayside Shopping Centre at the intersection of Shannon St Mall and Station Street Mall. The trial, if viable, would begin in September and run until March
1, 2011. ... Melbourne
council bans outdoor smoking In a move sure to upset smokers, a Melbourne council is preparing to ban cigarettes from public outdoor areas. Frankston City Council will trial the idea from September, making three busy shopping strips and the street outside a train station smoke free. Anyone who lights up faces a $110 fine. ... Smoking
in streets could draw fine SYDNEY councils may consider banning outdoor smoking if a similar prohibition in Victoria is deemed a success. Frankston City Council is preparing to impose blanket bans along three busy open-air shopping strips - including opposite the train station. Lighting up in the designated exclusion zones during the planned six-month
trial could cost defiant smokers up to $110. ... Mums
flout car fags ban NEW figures show women are the biggest offenders of laws that ban smoking in cars with children. Authorities have caught 111 people -- 69 women and 42 men -- smoking in vehicles carrying children since the ban was introduced. Anti-smoking group Quit Tasmania and the Asthma Foundation have called on women to refrain from exposing children to passive smoking in cars. The groups said the higher representation of female offenders was probably because mothers were more likely to transport children to school and other activities. However, Quit Tasmania executive director Michael Wilson said mums,
no matter how long they spent in cars with children, had no excuse.
... Victoria
Gets Tough On Tobacco With New Smoking Ban In Cars People will be banned from smoking in motor vehicles with children
under 18 when new tobacco laws come into force on January 1, 2010. “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to reduce the impact of tobacco-related harm to the Victorian community, particularly among children,” Mr Andrews said. “This new law will mean that no-one is allowed to smoke in a motor vehicle if a person under 18 is present. “This ban includes whether the car is moving or not, whether the windows are open or closed, and whether the roof is down or not.” ... ACT
bans smoking in outdoor eating areas The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed tough laws banning smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas. Smoking is already banned in enclosed areas and the new laws will come into affect in 12 months. Health Minister Katy Gallagher says it is a substantial step forward in reducing the harm caused by tobacco. "In 12 months there will be no smoking in Canberra's restaurants, cafes and coffee shops," she said. "Pubs and clubs however will be able to designate an outdoor smoking area of no more than 50 per cent of their outdoor space." Ms Gallagher says food and drink will not be permitted in the designated smoking areas and people under the age of 18 will not be allowed in. "This is protecting workers and members of the public from exposure to tobacco smoke," she said. "Workers in the hospitality industry deserve the same protection
that is provided to those working indoors." ... Warringah
may be next to ban alfresco smoking WARRINGAH Council may investigate introducing a smoking ban at all alfresco dining areas operating on council land. Councillor Virginia Laugesen has called for an early review of the council’s management of smoking in public places policy, with a goal of a March 1, 2010, implementation of the changes. If successful it will follow the lead of Mosman Council who grabbed world headlines with its ``butt out’’ policy in 2004. Manly Council also has a similar policy already in place. Cr Laugesen’s proposal also seeks to include a ban on smoking within bus shelters as well as council-owned parking stations. ... Ashfield
considers outdoor smoking ban He described the smoking ban as “draconian” and said he was glad his Egyptian restaurant was in the Marrickville Council area. ... Hundreds
fined for smoking in cars since new laws MORE than 400 people have been cautioned or fined for smoking in cars with children in South Australia since the controversial law was introduced. The state led the nation by introducing a law prohibiting smoking in vehicles in the presence of people under 16 in May 2007, in a bid to protect children from passive smoking. Since then, police have fined 317 people and cautioned 85. A woman was recently convicted for the offence in NSW just three months after that state brought in the new laws. Qld
bans smoking in cars carrying kids Queensland motorists who smoke while children are in their cars will be fined from next year. From January 1, Queensland police will enforce a $200 on-the-spot fine to drivers who smoke with children under 16 in their cars. Premier Anna Bligh said the laws would protect children from the dangers of passive smoke. "It is important we protect children who have no choice but to travel in cars with adults and their parents and family members ... where those people don't make the right choices about smoking around them," Ms Bligh told reporters. She made no apologies for the crackdown. ... Smoke
free? Council considers outdoor ban DO you want to see smoke-free outdoor areas in Greater Taree? That's the question the city council will be asking residents as it considers introducing a smoke-free environment policy. The council voted at its October ordinary meeting to undertake public consultation on the introduction of such a policy, with input from the community to be considered by the council before any decisions are made. The issue was raised following discussions at a council workshop regarding a possible no-smoking policy at council facilities including footways and sporting grounds. A report prepared by the council's senior environmental health officer Philip Martin said as of May this year, 58 councils in New South Wales ? or 38 per cent ? had a smoke-free policy in certain council-owned or controlled areas, including almost two thirds of metropolitan councils and 28 per cent of regional councils. ... Councillors
debate rights vs health SMOKE-free public areas in Greater Taree will make smokers feel like 'outcasts or criminals,' says Cr Mal Marks.
"I'm a non-smoker but I believe council is over-reacting," Cr Marks said, adding that smoking was still a legal practice and most smokers respected those around them. "I'd rather see council embark on an education program, perhaps with the medical fraternity on board, to help some of these people (smokers). It is a very hard thing to give it away," he said "If you're a heroin addict you get given everything under the sun... these poor smokers get nothing." ... Almost
half of all Victorian smokers still light up around children Almost half of Victoria's cigarette smokers still light up around children, despite an increase over the last decade in the number of homes that enforce a no-smoking policy. New research released today by the Cancer Council Victoria found significant improvement in the efforts of parents to keep tobacco smoke away from their kids. In 1998 just over half of surveyed households had home smoking bans, but in the latest survey just under three quarters of respondents to a phone survey said their household's regular smoker always or usually smoked outside. If there is a child in the house, it is even more likely (82 per cent) the smoker will go outside. However the researchers said it was not an even trend. Parents were
much more likely to protect their children from cigarette smoke when
they were aged under five. There was a belief that as their child gets
older they are better able to tolerate or avoid smoke exposure. Also,
households in lower socio-economic areas were less likely to enforce
home smoking bans. ... First
smoking in car with child conviction A NEW South Wales woman has been convicted of smoking in a car containing
a three-year-old child - in what is believed to be one of the first
successes with such a prosecution under new state laws. Alison Therese Manning, 31, was convicted of the smoking offence yesterday in Coffs Harbour Local Court, on the NSW mid-north coast, but avoided a fine or sentence. ... Lake
Macquarie Council smoke ban to widen A DRAFT policy banning smoking at Lake Macquarie City Council-owned sporting grounds and swimming pools and near children's playgrounds would be mostly "self-policed". The policy is expected to cost more than $60,000 to fully implement. Councillors broadly backed the policy in a resources and policy committee meeting this week, but they have yet to formally endorse it and further public consultation is to be done. The draft was produced after councillors in August called for its development.
... Fears
smoking bans could inflame tensions in overcrowded WA prisons Inmates at WA's maximum security Hakea Prison will be banned from smoking in their cells from Monday - prompting fears from prison officers it could further increase tensions in the State's overcrowded jails. As part of the Department of Corrective Services' smoking reduction policy, inmates at Hakea will be banned from smoking in their cells during the day from next week, according to John Welch, secretary of the WA Prison Officers Union. Mr Welch said while the union agreed that passive smoking in prisons was potentially harmful to his members, of more immediate concern was the effect a tobacco ban could have on the mood of already tense inmates. ... Council
delays smoke ban decision The Geraldton-Greenough Council has deferred a decision on banning smoking in alfresco dining areas and other public places. If adopted, the city's second-hand smoke harm minimisation laws would ban smoking at patrolled beaches, sporting venues and playgrounds within the city. ... Great
News for Canberrans – Smoking to be banned in outdoor food and
drinking ... Finally some great news for all the people in Canberra who love outdoor
eating and drinking. The ACT Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher MLA,
will be introducing a bill into the Legislative Assembly to restrict
smoking in all food and drink outdoor areas. ... Pollies
drag on smoking bans Smoking bans in the Queen Street and Ipswich malls are unlikely to take effect until after Christmas, held up by crucial State Government legislation. In May, the councils announced they would introduce smoking bans into their city malls but both have been forced to wait for the Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 to pass through State Parliament. The legislation was introduced into State Parliament on April 23, 2009 but has yet to be debated. "The State is still yet to pass legislation giving council the power to ban smoking in the Queen Street Mall and council will not be making any decision until that time," a spokesman for Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said. ... Economy
$1b better off by cutting smoking rate by a third A study by Deakin University has found the economy would be $1 billion better off if the rate of smoking was cut by one third. Researchers have found the benefits of cutting Australia's smoking rate would be much broader than previously thought. The study was commissioned by VicHealth, and looked at how cutting
tobacco usage would benefit individuals, industry and governments. It found that Australia could cut its smoking rate by a third, by having higher prices for cigarettes and tougher bans on smoking in public, like they do in California. ... Butt
out on our hospital grounds SMOKING will be banned on the grounds of all public hospitals from May 31 next year. Nurses in uniform and patients in gowns have been a common sight smoking outside hospitals since lighting up indoors was banned in the 1970s. Under the new rules, staff and patients will be offered "at-cost", or free, nicotine replacement therapy but the blanket ban seems certain to push some smokers out to the footpaths. . . . The SmokeFree Australia coalition yesterday called for all Australian governments to make all workplaces smoke-free, including outdoors, after new studies showed smoke-free laws reduce heart attacks by even more than previously thought. The introduction of the bans will coincide with World No Tobacco Day. Sydney
Council to ban smoking in public areas Even Lord Mayor Clover Moore has admitted to enjoying a ciggie on the bus, in the car and at cafes, but that was decades ago in London, before the health impacts of passive smoking were publicly acknowledged. Now Sydney Council has joined the growing number of councils that have banned smoking in public outdoor areas. Smoking will be banned in children’s playgrounds, malls, taxi queues, “civic spaces’’ and community centres. Alfresco dining areas might also fall under the laws and designated smoking areas might be assigned. Queensland has already affected a ban, as have Manly and Mosman councils. Smoking is banned on Bondi beach. So, as advocates of the ban pointed out on Monday night, Sydney Council is lagging behind. The ban was supported unanimously and councillors were iin “furious
agreement”. A former councillor from Mosman Council, Andrew Brown,
spoke in favour of the ban. ... Plan
to ban smoking on Hay Street Mall A candidate in the upcoming Perth City Council election has unleashed a plan to ban smoking in the Hay and Murray Street malls.
"You have just got a lot of people smoking and lots of passive smoking in the malls. "With 1500 smoking-related deaths, and 9000 under-age smokers starting smoking every year in WA, something has to be done." ... Smoking
ban in cars closer A bill banning smoking in cars carrying children has passed the upper house of the West Australian parliament. The bill was introduced earlier this year by the Independent Mp Janet Woollard. It will also ban retailers from being able to display tobacco products and prohibits people from smoking in certain parts of alfresco dining areas. ... Smoking
ban looms MONASH Council hopes to ban smoking at sports clubs within five years. The council previously tried to prohibit lighting up at sports venues when it introduced a ban on smoking in playgrounds in 2007 but backed down after local clubs argued it could affect patronage. Mayor Paul Klisaris said the council still intended to ban smoking at clubs within five years. "It will be the next step. It's becoming the norm nowadays with smoking banned in pubs, restaurants and a tax increase on cigarettes." No one has been fined for smoking in playgrounds since the local law was introduced. "People normally police it themselves. If parents see someone smoking in the playground, they remind them it is a non-smoking area." Last October, the council became the first state winner of the Heart Foundation's award for programs and policies that reduce exposure to tobacco. ... Canberra
Theatre Joins SmokeFree Canberra Theatre, together with Smoke Free will host a SmokeFree Youth Dance Festival. Ausdance ACT proudly presents the 25th SmokeFree Youth Dance Festival - Changes 25 Years! Each night is different, each night brings new dance to the stage in a non-competitive expression of youth dance and energy, with 1,300 dancers from 32 high schools and colleges in 45 separate original dance works using every dance style imaginable. ... Experts
support crackdown on bad habits Western
Australia and the international tobacco industry / "We are still
not yet out of the woods in W.A." (PDF) It would be hard to find somewhere more remote from the centre of the
international tobacco industry than Western Australia. The international
tobacco companies active in Australia are controlled from North America
and the United Kingdom. One might assume that a state with some two
million inhabitants in a sparsely populated country would barely appear
on the radar of the tobacco industry's global leaders. the major focus of document-based research and publications has inevitably been on the United States and other countries where the industry is either located or has been seen as focussing its interests. It is, however, clear that this is a global industry with global concerns, and that its financial well-being rests on the profitability of operations around the world. . . . Some of the comments and events reported to the industry's global leaders might be equally well placed in a comedy program, for example the 1980s comments of the Western Australian Tobacco Institute Executive Offi cer Ron Berryman, that, "Irrespective of how many children take up smoking in a year, no one is immortal--everyone dies sooner or later", and, in response to the allegation that cigarettes are a cause of cancer, "So are potatoes. Tobacco is in the same family. You inhale the fumes of potatoes when you are cooking them". But other aspects of the industry's activities border on the sinister. As this report documents, Professor Ragnar Rylander, from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, who both spent a sabbatical month at The University of Western Australia in 1988, and was viewed in good faith by Western Australian scientists as a respected colleague, was essentially a tobacco industry spy, with a generously-funded consultancy, sending back secret reports to the Philip Morris company in New York on tobacco control developments within Western Australia. Push
to extend smoking bans across Hunter ANTI-smoking campaigners have set their sights on Maitland and the Upper Hunter, as the push to ban smoking in public areas gains momentum in the region. Port Stephens and Newcastle councils have introduced smoking bans in
public areas, which they own and control. ... Brisbane
Council considers Queen Street Mall non-smoking areas Some parts of the Queen Street Mall could become smoke-free under a
Brisbane City Council plan to cut cigarette butt littering in the CBD. Should smoking be banned in parts of the mall? Have your say. It's being considered as part of a crackdown on littering in Brisbane, which has found cigarette butts make up half the litter on city streets. ... The
Effect of Smoke-free Policies on Revenue in Bars in Tasmania, Australia.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of smoke-free policies on revenue in Tasmanian bars. METHOD: Monthly sales turnover from January 2002 to March 2007, provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics was analysed. There were two OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) the ratio of monthly bar sales turnover in Tasmania to monthly bar sales turnover in four other Australian states, and (2) the ratio of monthly bar turnover to monthly retail turnover in Tasmania. Linear regression was used to assess the impact of the smoke-free policy on expenditure. RESULTS: The smoke-free policy had no effect on sales turnover. ONCLUSION: The smoke-free policy protects hospitality workers and patrons from exposure to second-hand smoke and has had no adverse effect on sales turnover. More
councils introduce smoke-free outdoor areas THE number of councils in NSW that have introduced smoke-free outdoor areas has more than doubled in the past two years, a Heart Foundation survey has found. The figures, published today, show 58 of 152 NSW councils had banned smoking in areas such as playgrounds, swimming pools and alfresco-dining areas by May, up from 28 councils in 2007. The implementation of smoke-free outdoor areas has been higher in metropolitan municipalities, with 65 per cent of 43 councils introducing the bans, compared with 28 per cent of 109 regional councils. Warringah, Wollongong City, Camden, Hurstville and Port Stephens are
the latest councils to approve a smoke-free policy in council-owned
outdoor areas. ... Smoke-free
outdoor policy on council's agenda Council has agreed to investigate the introduction of a smoke-free
outdoor policy. The issue of passive smoking has been of major concern within Australia
for a number of years and there is an increasing trend to prohibit smoking
in a wide range of public places. ... Prison
smoking bans to start today Smoking will be banned inside most of the State’s prisons today
and limited to designated areas, prompting renewed calls for the State
Government to crack down on a prisoner’s right to light up in jail. Australian Council on Smoking and Health president Mike Daube welcomed the partial ban but warned that prisoners were not getting the same protection as the rest of the community. ... Smoking
to be banned while under-18s are in the car SMOKING in cars carrying children under 18 will be banned. "There is no risk-free level of second-hand smoke in confined areas such as cars," he said. Expert
fumes over NT smoking policy The Territory Government's policies on smoking have come under fire
from the president of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health. It is still legal to smoke in bars in the Territory, although a ban will come into place next year. . . . "The reality is that the Territory Government's attitudes to tobacco over the years have been a disgrace. "They lag so far behind the other states and territories that they should be asking themselves why they're allowing so many needless deaths." ... Just
two clubs prosecuted over defying smoking ban JUST two clubs have been prosecuted for breaching the State Government's smoking bans, despite hundreds of breaches. The small strike rate is in marked contrast to the police crackdown on infringements of the state's recently-toughened laws governing the service of alcohol in pubs and clubs. NSW Health has said it prefers to warn venues that they have breached the bans rather than prosecute. ... Smoking
to be banned in cars with kids Places where smoking is prohibited in NSW will soon include cars, if any of their passengers are under the age of 16. Billboards and print advertisements will start appearing this weekend to remind drivers and smokers of new government regulations aimed at protecting children from tobacco smoke. The new laws come into effect on July 1. "The advertisements will hammer home the message that from July 1, drivers and smokers will be banned from smoking in cars when a child or passenger under the age of 16 is present," Minister assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) Jodi McKay said in a statement on Saturday. "Any driver or passenger who is caught violating this new law could attract a $250 on-the-spot fine from NSW Police." ACT
tightens smoking laws in outdoor areas Canberra's clubs and pubs are facing further restrictions on where their patrons can light up, with the ACT Government about to introduce new anti-smoking legislation. Under the new legislation being introduced smoking will be banned in outdoor areas where food and drinks are served, said ACT health minister Katy Gallagher. ... Tobacco
Smoke Exposure in Hospitalised Aboriginal Children in Central Australia.
Health
groups praise council's outdoor smoking ban Cancer Council NSW and the Heart Foundation have applauded Cessnock
City Council for announcing its intention to expand its outdoor smoking
ban to include children’s playgrounds in the Cessnock LGA. This
follows the introduction of policy banning smoking in the grounds of
Cessnock and Branxton pools which came into effect in October 2007.
Regional Programs Coordinator at Cancer Council’s Hunter Region office, Dana Buzinec, said: “Cancer Council commends Cessnock City Council for taking this crucial step towards protecting the community from toxic second hand smoke. The policies have also been shown to de-normalise smoking which helps reduce the number of young people taking up this health destroying habit.” ... Hospitality
industry ready for smoking law THE Esperance hospitality industry is not concerted about the recent
altered anti-smoking bill. Gibson Soak Hotel manager Phil Waddington said that the law would not make any difference to his business because the measures have already been set up. “We have two sections outside, one with ashtrays and one without, it’s pretty common sense. “The law will inconvenience but will not change people’s behaviour.” ... Smokers
are butting out Anti-smoking
drive on Illawarra hospital grounds Smoking
at beach set to be banned WESTERN Australia's tough new smoking bans, which impose fines of up to $1000 for smoking in cars carrying children or between the flags at the beach, are set to become law after passing through the Lower House of Parliament. Independent MP Janet Woollard, who framed the legislation, said she was hopeful the Bill would be passed by Parliament's Legislative Council as early as next week. The new laws will ban smoking within 10m of playgrounds, in cars carrying children under the age of 16 years, in the alfresco areas of cafes and restaurants, in at least 50 per cent of outdoor areas of hotels and in designated beach bathing areas. New
WA smoke laws softer than proposed THE WA Government has backed down on more extreme provisions of proposed anti-smoking laws after The Sunday Times identified big possible flaws. On April 5, the paper revealed that the laws proposed in their previous form could have seen smokers fined $2000 just for puffing near a street hotdog vendor or on a park bench. ... Ipswich
bans smoking at bus stops Ipswich aims to become Queensland's first city to ban smoking at taxi ranks and bus stops, as well as the city's central mall. The decision by the southern Queensland regional city follows the introduction to state parliament last week of new legislation giving councils additional controls over public smoking. Ipswich council's policy board spokesman Paul Tully said the move would be welcomed by most residents who were unhappy with smoking in busy public places. ... Tobacco
bans spark anger While smoking bans in public places, particularly hospitals and other health facilities, have been sweeping the globe in recent years, preventing mental health patients from smoking is controversial. This was dramatically illustrated last week after The Sydney Morning Herald reported NSW Health was moving ahead with a ban in all its psychiatric centres, despite vehement objections from some front-line mental health workers. . . . According to NSW Health, the newspaper got it wrong: no blanket smoking ban is being introduced. Instead, the department is providing guidelines to health services on how they should go about preparing for and implementing a ban, should they choose to do so. A similar approach is being taken in Victoria, where Melbourne Health is exercising its discretion to introduce a ban. Other health services in the state are free to allow smoking in non-enclosed spaces.. But it's nevertheless true that even the whisper of a smoking ban in mental health centres puts the cat among the pigeons. Other states have been watching the NSW ruckus with interest; South Australia says it has no plans to introduce a ban, and in Western Australia, where smoking bans have been in place in all state-run hospitals and health services since January 2008, the new Health Minister has promised to review the measure in relation to mental health facilities, in the light of concerns raised by some workers. Smoking
ban angers mental-health groups ELEANOR HALL: It seems logical for a health department to enforce a no smoking rule but mental health experts are warning the New South Wales Health Department that banning smoking in psychiatric facilities could be dangerous for both patients and their carers. The department though says it will push ahead with its plans, saying smoking is the number-one risk to health. Barbara Miller has our report. BARBARA MILLER: Ashtrays will be removed from mental health centres, outdoor smoking areas closed down and patients supplied with nicotine replacement therapies. But the New South Wales authorities are making no apologies for the moves. Liz Develin is the director of Health Advancement. LIZ DEVELIN: Smoking is still the single biggest risk factor for death in New South Wales. It out-rates alcohol. It out-rates overweight and obesity. And hence New South Wales Health must show that smoking is just unacceptable and no-one should be exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. BARBARA MILLER: Liz Develin says the ban will be gradually introduced, ensuring a smooth transition. LIZ DEVELIN: There's very good evidence published in psychiatric journals
from across the world where, where you do this properly, you don't see
increased aggression or patients going off their medication or not turning
up for their mental health service, but it could happen if people don't
do it properly which is why we're providing very extensive guidance
on how to do it. ... Passive
smoking strikes WA children Alarming new research shows that at least one child under the age of
five is treated every day at Perth’s hospital emergency departments
as a direct result of breathing in cigarette smoke from people around
them. Respected epidemiologist D’Arcy Holman and research assistant Victoria Gray found that across all age groups, 4881 West Australians or one in 50 of all urgent cases at emergency departments had a smoking caused medical condition. The most common complaints were chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or emphysema, heart rhythm problems, lower respiratory tract infections, stroke and heart failure. Smoking
ban in mental health hospital may be overturned A ban on smoking in Western Australia's mental health hospitals could be overturned following a review of the policy by the Health Minister. Graham Jacobs says the ban would only be reversed for involuntary patients. Dr Jacobs says there is anecdotal evidence the ban has made some patients more difficult to manage and is not helping their rehabilitation. "Often staff come to me and say it's much more difficult to manage
people with their illness and it can aggravate their condition,"
he said. Smoking
in cars when children are present The Minister for Health, Katy Gallagher MLA, has released a consultation paper canvassing options for prohibiting smoking in motor vehicles when children are present. Minimising the public's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is an integral part of ACT tobacco regulation. The ACT Government is concerned about smoking in cars where children are present, and it's a high priority for this Government to protect our children from exposure to ETS. The consultation paper canvasses a number of options to address smoking in motor vehicles when children are present. The purpose of the paper is two-fold to raise awareness about the health risks of ETS exposure and to seek the community's views on this important issue. . . . To be considered, comments must arrive by the close of business on 27 February 2009. Beach
bans working Fewer
Victorians smoking after bar ban: report A large number of people have quit or reduced smoking since Victorian bars and clubs were made smokefree, according to Cancer Council Victoria data. Hospitality venues in the state were made smokefree on July 1 last year. In a Cancer Council survey of 1250 people, four out of ten recent quitters stated smokefree venues had helped them quit. A third reported they had reduced the amount they smoked following the introduction of the legislation. Breathe
Easy, the Air's Better THE air in South Australia's hotels and clubs is a thousand times cleaner since the total smoking ban took effect, tests show. An independent analysis of air quality, conducted by The Advertiser, found that breathing in the air in hotels before the State Government's latest smoking laws were introduced, was comparable to living in an industrial area. Smoking
bans hit parents in cars NEW South Wales smokers may soon have to go without while driving in the car with children, under State Government plans to expand smoking bans. Premier Morris Iemma yesterday launched a new $1.4 million anti-smoking TV campaign and flagged the banning of smoking in cars carrying children. "What we're doing at the moment is examining the experience in Tasmania and South Australia that have introduced rules in that area ... it is timely to have a look," Mr Iemma said. Bans
no bar to success SMOKING bans have had a positive effect on the hotel industry, according to the Australian Hotels Association. The AHA -- which had previously warned that ... More
quit smoking after bans Anti-smoking campaigner, Quit, is reporting a 20 per cent boost in weekend calls to its helpline, since smoking bans were introduced. Since the bans on smoking in indoor public places began in July, 800 smokers have called the helpline on weekends. Quit's Executive Director Fiona Sharkie says the increase represents a major cultural shift. She says five years ago, smokers would have been too busy going out on Saturday and Sunday to consider quitting. Tasmania
wins Clean Ashtray Award Tasmania has been hailed as having the best anti-smoking initiatives in the country. The Australian Medical Association says State Government plans for smoke-free pubs and clubs, and making tobacco retailers display graphic health warnings, make Tasmania the joint winner of this year's Clean Ashtray Award. Queensland, where similar measures are being enforced, shared the award. Tasmania was declared the worst State for smoke prevention in the same award a year ago. Smoking at an all-time low in Australia - ninemsn
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare survey estimates about
2.9 million Australians smoked cigarettes daily in 2004 while another
530,000 lit up once a week or less. Australian
Hotel Issues Total Smoking Ban The Novotel St Kilda will become Melbourne's first smoke-free major international hotel when it bans smoking in all its rooms and indoor public areas from June 1. The hotel, on The Esplanade, has decided on the ban after consultation with guests and two years after introducing a smoke-free environment in its restaurant and indoor bar. The hotel is the only one of 25 hotels in the chain in Australia and New Zealand to ban smoking completely. Manager Llewellyn Wyeth said Novotel St Kilda guests overwhelmingly backed the move. "We've had no negative feedback," he said. "We've had people who smoke take the non-smokers' side of the argument. "The majority of people who smoke don't want to smoke in their hotel room, they'll go outside." Gambling
up $100m after smoking ban Australian
state to ban smoking in pubs and clubs by 2007 The upper house of parliament in Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, has passed legislation that will ban smoking in all pubs and clubs by 2007. Smoking will be restricted to one room from the middle of next year and will be phased out completely over the following two years. State Science and Medical Research Minister, Frank Sartor, says the legislation is designed to minimise the financial effect on these venues. "There's no question that environmental tobacco smoke causes harm and death to people and it's very important that we deal with this important health issue," he said. |
Around
17.4 per cent of Australians are now regular smokers, giving the