Smoking bans under review
In Western Australia, law covering smoking in pubs are now being reviewed.
So are laws covering pool fences and bike helmets.
The reason for that is that some politicians are saying people are tired of being treated like children,
West Australian Liberal Democrats MP Aaron Stonehouse said the laws are insane.
“Most Australians are sick of getting dictated to by bureaucrats,” Stonehouse told Nine News.
“I think venues should be able to set their own policies. If you're a non-smoker and you don't like it, then you can go to the bar next door that has a non-smoking policy.
“There is a $45,000 fine for vaping in Western Australia, which is insane because everyone's doing it anyway.”
Stonehouse says a parliamentary committee is now looking into various laws. These laws include smoking bans inside pubs and clubs.
The Western Australian government has agreed to review the laws.
However, Premier Mark McGowan says some of these laws are not up for negotiation.
He says that seat belts, helmets and tough firearm laws are all here to stay.
The smoking bans are found in most pubs and clubs across Australia.
According to the Daily Mail, the ACT was first place in Australia to ban smoking inside cafes and restaurants in 1995.
The second state was Western Australia in 2006.
While NSW banned smoking in enclosed public places, except for bars, in 2001, it extended the ban to all enclosed places, including bars, in 2007.
Victoria banned smoking in all enclosed public places in 2007.
Queensland has banned smoking in pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces since 2006.
In South Australia, the government introduced a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places in 2007.
Tasmania introduced a total indoor smoking ban in 2006 and banned smoking in all outdoor restaurants in 2012.
Restrictions on smoking in enclosed areas in the Northern Territory were introduced in 2010.
Leon Gettler, 31st August 2018
