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Smoking bans considered for outdoor dining venues

27/04/2012 - A ban on smoking at outdoor dining and drinking areas is being considered by the Victorian government as part of anti-smoking measures, health minister David Davis says.

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Victoria's top health groups have joined forces to call for the ban and also want to stop smoking within ten metres of children's playgrounds, within four metres of public building entrances and transport stops, as well as at malls, beaches, sporting grounds and public events.

A submission on the bans has been given to the state government by the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council Victoria and Quit Victoria.

Davis confirmed the government had met with several health organisations over the issue.

"It certainly is one of a number of measures being considered and looked at very closely," he said.

"There's been consultation on that and other measures with a wide range of organisations."

Quit executive director Fiona Sharkie says Victoria is the only state that has not already introduced or announced an intention to introduce a ban.

"The surgeon-general reports there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke," she told reporters on Thursday.

"Even brief exposure can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease."

AMA Victoria's vice president Stephen Parnis said the bans would allow young people to enforce their right to breathe fresh air, reduce take-up rates and reduce risks associated with passive smoking.

Source: AAP

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Have your say...

IndustrySearch Wes | 27/04/2012 14:32 1

Let’s hope that Victoria will soon join the rest of the Commonwealth in outlawing smoking in public areas. It’s reassuring to see Victorian health groups have emphasised such bans with consideration towards children’s playgrounds and other family venues as time and time again, new parents are warned of the dangers that nicotine smoke poses to babies and juveniles. Let’s also hope if and when such regulations are introduced, harsh penalties will be invoked upon those that choose not to abide.

Margaret Hogge | 17/05/2012 14:28 2

If you can smell the tobacco smoke then the poisons are going into your lungs and your family's lungs and doing you harm. Everybody has the right to breathe clean air, free from tobacco smoke's deadly toxins.Tobacco may be a legally available product but,as agreed by civil libertarians, should not be used where it may harm others. Those who are addicted to nicotine can access replacements which cause no harm to others and may even help them to shake off tobacco's stranglehold.

Kalon HospitalityHub | 17/05/2012 14:59 3

As a non-smoking asthmatic who socialises with smokers, I am torn between the obvious health risks members of the public should not have to be subjected to, and what may become an extraordinary inconvenience to many if cigarettes are banned from virtually everywhere but private backyards.

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