Lobby groups call for outdoor smoking ban
Various groups have lobbied the Victorian government for outdoor smoking bans across the state but smokers and the hospitality industry have told them to 'butt out'.
Quit Victoria accused the state government of having out-dated anti-smoking policies in the lead up to World No Tobbaco Day on Thursday last week.
The group funded by various health organisations said those lobbying for stricter anti-smoking laws included the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), Quit and the Australian Medical Association (Victoria).
And to top it off, Victoria was awarded the 2012 'Dirty Ashtray' award by the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Council on Smoking and Health for having the least effective state government policies to combat smoking.
Swan Hill Rural City Council director of development and planning Leanne Mulcahy said council supported harm minimisation when it came to emerging public health issues.
"Council is active in monitoring tobacco sales throughout the municipality through its test purchasing program," Ms Mulcahy said.
"Our public health officers will consider the MAV proposal and provide recommendations to the Council."
The MAV's proposal recommends a ban on smoking near outdoor climbing areas, within 10 metres of children's playground equipment and recommends investigating bans for beaches, sports grounds and outside school entrances.
The MAV also argued there should be more consistency in Victorian Law with other Australian States. In Queensland, smoking is prohibited in all pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces as well as in commercial outdoor eating and drinking areas and outdoor public places.
In New South Wales the push for smoking reform is also gaining momentum after Health Minister Jillian Skinner introduced tough new legislation aimed at banning smoking in public places.
The NSW Tobacco Strategy will see smoking banned in playgrounds, public sports grounds, swimming pools, public transport stops and the entrances to public buildings.
Federal Hotel publican Darren Lewis said further bans on outdoor smoking in pubs would hurt his business, as the ban on indoor smoking did.
"People enjoy a beer and a smoke," Mr Lewis said.
"It definitely hurt our business when people stopped smoking inside, for sure. It promotes drinking at home more," he said.
Source: The Guardian, 4 June 2012
