Victorian
health groups have welcomed a commitment from the State Government that all
outdoor dining and drinking areas will be made smokefree.
Today’s
announcement is also set to reveal that entrances to all public buildings will
soon become smokefree.
Quit
Victoria Tobacco Control Policy Manager Kylie Lindorff said the organisation will welcome the opportunity to work with
government to ensure a comprehensive approach to smokefree outdoor drinking and
dining.
“Victorians
can all breathe a little easier today knowing that Victoria has committed to putting
public health first by creating smokefree drinking and dining areas.”
“Not
only will the public benefit from the change, but a comprehensive state-wide
ban will also provide a level playing field for traders. We are really talking
about a win-win situation here.”
Cancer
Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper said the move to make outdoor drinking and
dining smokefree would no doubt receive a positive response from the public.
“We
know that the overwhelming majority of people are ready and willing to embrace
smokefree outdoor drinking and dining. In fact a recent Cancer Council Victoria study,
which surveyed more than 4000 Victorians, found one in five Victorians would
visit cafes and restaurants more often if a ban was introduced.”
The Attitudes
towards smoking at outdoor dining areas report also
found almost half (49%) of Victorians said they had avoided an outdoor
dining area due to smoking in the previous year.
Mr
Harper said the move was a great announcement for Victorian hospitality
workers.
“Workers
in outdoor hospitality areas are entitled to an environment free of smoke, and
the announcement today puts that finally within grasp.”
The Heart Foundation’s Victoria CEO Diana Heggie said making
more outdoor areas smokefree would protect Victorians from the harms of
secondhand smoke.
“Smoking is a major cause
of heart disease and cancers, killing thousands of Victorians every year, so we
are delighted the government has signalled that it is finally time to protect
Victorians from the harms of secondhand smoke.”