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“
More
outdoor areas are set to become smoke-free, with local government
endorsing new guidelines from peak health groups on stronger smoking
bans in outdoor areas in NSW. The new guidelines, launched on World No Tobacco Day, were
developed by The Cancer Council NSW, the Heart Foundation, Action on
Smoking and Health and the AMA, with input from councils and the Local
Government and Shires Associations of NSW giving its stamp of
approval. “Already 30 councils across NSW have introduced smoke-free
outdoor areas as a result of changing community attitudes towards
smoking. These new guidelines will help other councils who are keen to
follow their lead,” said Tony Thirlwell, CEO of the Heart
Foundation. A new Cancer Council survey of 2,400 people in NSW revealed
the potential for bans to reduce smoking rates, with 54% of smokers
who had tried to quit saying that seeing someone with a cigarette was
a trigger to relapse, while 40% said smelling a cigarette was a
trigger to relapse. “Introducing smoke-free outdoor areas is a positive step
that councils can take to protect the community from second-hand
smoke, promote positive health messages, and support smokers who are
trying to quit,” said Anita Tang, Director of Health Strategies at
The Cancer Council NSW. The new kit provides guidelines and information for councils
on the health, social and environmental benefits of establishing
smoke-free outdoor areas, and recommends banning smoking within 10
metres of children’s playgrounds, on sporting fields and facilities
such as swimming pools and outdoor sports centres, at all events run
or sponsored by council, and in alfresco dining areas on public land. The Cancer Council survey found widespread support for
outdoor smoking bans with 92% supporting bans in children’s
playgrounds, 85% outside workplace entrances, 80% in sports stadiums
and 69% in outdoor dining areas. “Thirty years ago we still had smoking in shopping centres,
hospitals, schools, train stations, cinemas and inside restaurants,
but now people recognise that smoke-free areas are good for everyone
– particularly children,” said AMA (NSW) President, Dr Andrew
Keegan. Lismore
mum of two, Kim Curtis, successfully lobbied her council to make
playgrounds smoke-free in 2005. “Everyone has really embraced it as
commonsense – there’s been huge support,” said Kim. Leichhardt,
Mosman, Manly, Strathfield, Burwood, Willoughby and Hornsby
Councillors or staff attended the launch at Canada Bay to welcome the
new guidelines. Mayor
of Canada Bay, Angelo Tsirekas said, “This is an opportunity for
councils to take leadership to provide their residents with a healthy
environment and meet the strong community demand for smoke-free
outdoor areas”. See
the Smokefree
Outdoor Areas resource kit Media
info: Sally
Moore, The Cancer Council NSW ph. (02) 9334-1878 m. 0413-886-578
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Page last updated 31/5/07 |
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