The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s move to ban smoking at children’s playgrounds, public swimming pools and sporting events as a step in the right direction to improving community health.
MAV Chief Executive, Mr Rob Spence, said it was important for all governments to continue the efforts to reduce tobacco use, given that smoking costs approximately 4000 Victorian lives and $5 billion each year.
“These bans follow similar smoke-free public spaces coming into force in NSW last month. It also means Victoria is catching up to most other states where widespread smoking bans for designated outdoor areas have already been adopted.”
In September 2011 the MAV presented recommendations for a Victorian outdoor smoking framework to the State Government following extensive consultation with councils.
The framework called for State laws to ban smoking in alfresco dining areas and children’s playgrounds. It also recommended that the State should investigate bans for other outdoor areas, including beaches, sports grounds and outside schools.
The MAV also recommended that councils should retain the discretion to develop local laws for specific outdoor areas not covered by State bans, such as near entrances to council buildings, and council owned or managed land.
Mr Spence said 45 municipalities already had a smoke-free local policy for some outdoor areas, and the MAV would work with councils on providing a response to the proposed uniform bans.
“Councils are already active in policing a range of State tobacco laws through funded service agreements to undertake specific education, enforcement and test purchasing work.
“While this work remains important, community self-regulation also plays a powerful role.
“We look forward to reviewing the reform details in the technical issues paper, and our response to the Government will assess transition and implementation issues, including timing and whether additional funding is needed to expand councils’ education and enforcement activities.
“We also hope the State will lead the development of a widespread information campaign to build community understanding and awareness of the new outdoor smoking bans,” concluded Mr Spence.
