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Doctors call for smoking ban in alfresco dining areas
23 September 2010.
The next Victorian Government must follow the lead of Western Australia and protect Victorians from second hand tobacco smoke in alfresco dining areas, AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley said today.
"Not only is cigarette smoke unpleasant to smell, particularly when you’re eating, the effects of second hand smoke are well known," he said. "Cigarette smoke can cause eye and nose irritation and in the longer term can lead to heart disease and lung cancer."
Dr Hemley said historically Victoria had been the leader in anti-tobacco legislation but now risked lagging behind.
"Victoria’s smoke-free dining legislation came into effect in 2001, then smoking was banned in pubs and clubs in 2007. It’s now time for Victoria to take the next step and ban smoking in outdoor dining areas.
"The Brumby Government and the opposition must put their anti-tobacco plans on the table before the state decides who forms the next government in November. I hope both parties commit to banning smoking in alfresco dining areas."
Dr Hemley said smoking was still the largest preventable cause of death and disease in Australia. "In order to reduce the disease, disability and premature death caused by smoking, we need to reduce the number of individuals who smoke.
"A ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas would strengthen the message to the community that smoking is no longer viewed as normal, but is an unnecessary and unhealthy habit."
Queensland banned smoking in all commercial outdoor eating and drinking areas in 2006. Western Australia’s smoking ban in alfresco dining areas began yesterday.
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