Changes to smoking areas in South Australia

Making outdoor eating and drinking areas 'smoke-free' is the focus of a recent draft proposal released by SA Health. South Australians are being asked for their views on the Smoke-Free Outdoor Commercial Eating and Drinking Areas discussion paper, which proposes prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas of hospitality venues where food and drink are served.

Health Minister Jack Snelling said banning smoking in alfresco eating and drinking areas would help to reduce the amount of people affected by second-hand smoke, but could also have an impact on the hospitality industry.

"This is an important issue that impacts on everyone and consultation on this discussion paper allows people to tell us their views," he said.

"Outdoor eating and drinking areas can be in relatively confined areas where non-smokers and hospitality workers can be exposed to harmful concentrations of tobacco smoke.

"Under a proposal smoking would be allowed in the outdoor areas of venues as long as it is in a discreet location, does not permit people under the age of 18, and has no food or drink served.

"These proposals would impact on the hospitality sector, with many venues having altered their premises after the previous changes to smoking laws."

Consultation about smoking in outdoor areas was undertaken with hotel, restaurant and catering groups, along with smoking action groups, the Cancer Council and the Heart Foundation.

The Smoke-Free Outdoor Commercial Eating and Drinking Areas discussion paper is available from www.sahealth.sa.gov.au and will be open for consultation until 1 November 2013.

Source: 9 August 2013