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ASH Australia: Smokefree outdoor and partly enclosed public areas |
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See our SMOKE-FREE OUTDOOR AREAS resource kit for councils and other RESOURCES for Local Government
The
arguments The
case for making some other areas smokefree is based more on
environmental benefit - for example, the butt litter problem on beaches,
and litter or fire risks in parks. In still other cases, there are safety or public amenity issues. And there is a concern to reduce "normalising" smoking in view of children in areas like playgrounds and public pools.
Reducing butt litter - what works and what doesn't ASH encourages councils to be aware of the independent research on what kinds of measures actually reduce litter - and to beware misleading claims and ineffective strategies. The tobacco industry has sought to portray itself as "socially responsible" by supporting alternate strategies for reducing butt litter - without reducing or limiting smoking. British American Tobacco (BAT) Australia has founded and funded the Butt Littering Trust (BLT) which seeks partnerships with state and local government to distribute "butt bins" and educate smokers to "butt it then bin it". The BLT has claimed its campaigns have led to significant reductions in butt litter; but it has not provided meaningful comparisons with other strategies, with areas where it does not operate, or with pre-existing trends - or discussed how other factors (e.g. smokefree places laws or falling smoking rates) might have contributed. Independent evidence suggests that BLT-type strategies are not effective. See Extended Producer Responsibility report 2005-2006 p. 21: “impact of current activities funded by cigarette manufacturers has not delivered a reduction in butt littering.” Such
disposal/education
approaches may contribute as part of a broader strategy including
smokefree policies; however, tobacco companies have instead put them
forward as stand-alone alternatives, lobbying councils against extending
smokefree
areas. The BLT itself has been connected with anti-smokefree places
lobbying.
ACT food & drinks service areas to be smokefree by end of 2010 2/6/09: The ACT government has promised to make all public food and drink service areas smokefree by the end of 2010. The move is in line with international law, OH&S, research evidence and community opinion. See SmokeFree Australia media release 2/6/09
Wagga beats BAT to protect children, workers 31/3/09:
Wagga Wagga City Council (NSW) has been applauded for its decision to go
ahead with smokefree playgrounds and al fresco dining areas in
the face of aggressive tobacco industry interference. See
ASH media
release 31/3/09
Meanwhile community support continues to soar for smokefree dining. See NSW survey findings in Aust & NZ Journal of Public Health article
ACT
The
ACT government has promised to make all public food and drink service areas
smokefree by the end of 2010. See
SmokeFree
Australia media release 2/6/09
NSW
See NSW
councils smokefree policies chart as at May 2008 -
note many more since.
QUEENSLAND
The Queensland government has already banned smoking in all playgrounds, patrolled beaches and al fresco dining areas throughout the state in its legislation. Result: "A high level of public and industry acceptance" of the changes. See Qld health dept report 2008
SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA In July 2007 The city of Fremantle in WA voted to start phasing in a total ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas. See ABC news report 26/7/07 and earlier National Heart Foundation media release 15/3/07
RESOURCES for local government
SMOKEFREE OUTDOOR AREAS resource kit for councils!
Our earlier Tobacco
Facts for Local Government (November 2004) urged local councils
to “Join the Smokefree Communities Snowball”! The factsheet
featured early moves in Queensland, around Sydney and in rural and
regional areas.
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Page last updated 8/6/09 |