Smoking banned in Melbourne shopping strips
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The council will fine smokers up to $110 if caught lighting up in designated non-smoking areas. (Reuters: Charles Platiau, file photo)
A Melbourne council is launching a new crackdown on cigarettes, banning smoking in three outdoor shopping strips.
Frankston City Council will fine smokers up to $110 if they are caught lighting up in the designated non-smoking areas.
The ban is the first of its kind in Victoria and will be enforced in two shopping malls and on the western side of Young Street during a six-month trial.
Frankston Mayor Christine Richards says the move is likely to upset smokers, but will make Frankston a better place to live.
"We're very aware of the ramifications for smokers," she said.
"It is accompanied by a community education campaign. And what we're trying to do is get people talking, young people as well, about the fact that smoking is and can be deadly."
Comments (89)
Comments for this story are closed, but you can still have your say.
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ABC (Moderator):
09 Feb 2010 9:50:06am
Do you agree with the council's decision to ban smoking?
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JIk27:
09 Feb 2010 10:02:18am
No way, there is no reason to ban smoking outdoors. Indoors is completely understandable, but outdoors is taking it way to far. It is, as always, another way for a council to raise revenue to pay for all thier holidays and perks. I for one, will not stand for it.
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Peter:
09 Feb 2010 10:26:13am
"I for one, will not stand for it." LOL Well I hope you have your cheque book handy.
About time. And it needs to be taken further. The sooner that these 'social lepers' are removed from public spaces the better. Every public entrance these days you have to make your way through the smoking brigade and inhale their filth. Not to mention the butts that the vast majority seem to think that it is their 'smokers right' to litter at will.
PeterAgree (2) Alert moderator
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Noguaranteeofsanity:
09 Feb 2010 11:58:21am
Ill happily accept a ban on smoking outdoors, if the government removes the tax on cigarettes... oh wait, of course that is why they wont simply make cigarettes illegal and ban them altogether... there is no tax revenue if they do that!
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Darkless:
09 Feb 2010 10:33:29am
Smoking outdoors would be OK if smokers didn't smoke in pubic entrances and walkways. I am sick of having to walk through smoke all the time. Bring it on. The sooner this disqusting habit stops the better.
I have no sympathy or compassion for smokers.Agree (1) Alert moderator
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Get_some_perspective:
09 Feb 2010 10:47:55am
Freedom of speech outdoors would be OK if speakers didn't speak around public entrances and walkways. I am sick of having to walk through speeches all the time. Bring it on. The sooner this disqusting habit stops the better.
I have no sympathy or compassion for "free speechers".Agree (0) Alert moderator
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SJ:
09 Feb 2010 11:58:15am
Second-hand freedom of speech is not a known carcinogen.
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Hellios:
09 Feb 2010 10:37:42am
The Australian Constitution DOES NOT recognise local goverrment(COUNCILS) They have NO LEGITIMANCY -NO CONSTITUTION- NO HEAD OF POWER.
So they cant make any decisions of behalf of Australian people.
All there fines is just iilegal.
Fines over outdoor smoking is just a joke.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Jay:
09 Feb 2010 11:55:58am
The constitution doesn't work that way. The constitution grants the federal government powers. Whatever powers the federal government doesn't have the states do. And the states can grant powers to local councils.
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Nick:
09 Feb 2010 12:21:45pm
Local councils not being recognised by the constitution may very well be a joke, but smoking in busy shopping strips, or anywhere for that matter, is far worse.
It's disrespectful, inconsiderate and damaging, I don't want to breath that crap, don't smoke near me, if I want to walk down the street and do my shopping, I shouldn't have to breath the exhalation of your chemical addiction, no one should.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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John R:
09 Feb 2010 11:18:58am
Which approach will you not stand for the revenue raising? You can continue to smoke on other people to protest, or you can stop smoking, and thereby prevent them from raising revenue. I'm guessing that stopping smoking will do more to prevent this revenue raising - is that what you have in mind when you say you won't stand for it?
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stealthpooch:
09 Feb 2010 12:00:06pm
It's not a blanket outdoors ban - it's just in 3 popular shopping strips. It means that adults and children can walk around enjoying fresh(er) air, rather than breathing in toxic smoke. It's a great idea.
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Ltuae:
09 Feb 2010 10:17:30am
No. Councils should ban public alcohol consumption in cities and suburbs. No ifs, ands or buts, introduce and rigidly enforce one strike and out policy.
Let's address society's PROBLEM for a change, the dominant legal drug that is and has always been the "axis of evil" within our culture; instead of proposing hare-brained populous 'solutions' aimed at soft targets.
No smoker ever beat up or glassed their wife and kids every second night!
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RonAgree (0) Alert moderator
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The Nihilist :
09 Feb 2010 10:31:00am
About time. JIk27 says "No way, there is no reason to ban smoking outdoors. Indoors is completely understandable, but outdoors is taking it way to far." Why not outdoors too? There is nothing more annoying than being stuck behind a smoker when walking along a shopping mall. Just because you're outdoors doesn't mean you won't get him by a cloud of disgusting smoke.
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Darkless:
09 Feb 2010 10:34:59am
That might be true. But at least with drinkers you don't know you are walking through cloulds of alcohol fumes
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Jay:
09 Feb 2010 10:39:56am
Banning public alcohol consumption would likely reduce attacks on random strangers. Not so much domestic violence.
Alcoholism isn't the problem you want to address. Alcoholism and the abuse of other substances is a symptom. We need to address the question of why so many people feel the need to engage in substance abuse in order to (hopefully) have a good time or as a form of (unsuccessful) escape.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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loudboy77:
09 Feb 2010 10:51:49am
There are some very aggressive smokers posting here- the same kind who generally have little regard for anyone else when they breathe out or throw their cigarette butts on the ground. If you're so adamant about your "rights" as a smoker- how about this- you can smoke all you like but don't exhale.
Or maybe think about your own airtight bubble to get around in. The fact is we all SHARE the air we breathe- and you people are making it toxic and foul- and NEWS FLASH- that's incredibly selfish.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Phil Mayne:
09 Feb 2010 11:14:09am
The stinking filthy habit of smoking should be banned in all public places, in cars and anywhere else were the stink, ash and dog end litter will affect the 75% of the population who no longer don't smoke.
If you want to smoke do it at home out of range of your kids.
Do I agree with the Council's decision? I wish all Council's would do the same.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Jim:
09 Feb 2010 11:16:25am
Yes, a good start. Smoking should be banned in all public places. Only 20% of the population smoke and they have no right to inflict it on the rest of us.
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Lawn:
09 Feb 2010 9:58:04am
Excellent, and about time. I hope we see it implemented in cities around Australia. The Elizabeth Street Mall in Hobart for example is a veritable passive-smoke corridor.
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Leroy:
09 Feb 2010 10:01:22am
If they were fair dinkum, they would ban the sale of the cigerettes in those same shops.
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local:
09 Feb 2010 10:21:37am
Couldn't do that. Thats where all the kids buy their cigarettes. i'm not joking some of them are only kids.
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Javia:
09 Feb 2010 10:02:29am
I don't think smokers should be vilified, but I think this type of ban is great. It would be nice to be able to go out without subjecting our children to passive smoking, and also to help stop them from thinking smoking is accepted behaviour and therefore ok.
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TK:
09 Feb 2010 10:05:06am
Finally a council has the guts to do this, & enforce it too, with fines.
Smoking in ALL public places should be banned and enforced.
Why should my 4 year old have to hold her breath everytime we walk down the street?????
Everytime I smell someones smoke I feel like farting in thier face I asking them how does it make them feel.. its disgusting... just like smoke...
For me all you smokers are farting in my lungs every day!!!Agree (0) Alert moderator
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imsorryimasmoker:
09 Feb 2010 11:27:44am
Do you drive? Ive traded my car emissions for cigarette emissions. Your car emissions are far more likely to affect your childs health than the occassional walking smoker.
Can I suggest we ban children from public areas. Their crying is damaging to my hearing.
I find it sad how quickly we are rushing towards a nanny state.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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gazza1:
09 Feb 2010 10:05:38am
About time.
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Kooka:
09 Feb 2010 10:06:51am
What a who;e lot of crock. Is this the "cotton wool brigade" or what. Haven't councils got better things to do with their time and money. How ludicrous to think they can run every-ones life. Who made them THE GOD ALMIGHTY? They should live in the real world, Not fantasy land. Leave the poor smoker alone. You have all got to learn to leave us amokers alone. What a joke.
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John R:
09 Feb 2010 11:26:31am
I think you'd find that people would leave poor smokers alone more if the smokers left other people alone and didn't keep preventing them from breathing smoke-free air. I suggest if you really want to understand why people value fresh air, you should try stopping smoking for a few months, and then you will be able to experience the difference these other people are seeing.
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jimjam:
09 Feb 2010 10:07:43am
Absolutely! I'm tired of running the smokers' gauntlet hoping I can hold my breath long enough! Why should I be forced to breathe someone else's poisonous smoke? The health of non-smokers, and especially children, far outweighs their right to smoke. They can smoke like chimneys as far as I am concerned, just don't do it where I have no choice. After all, it's proven to be deadly!
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Eric:
09 Feb 2010 10:33:27am
I am a non-smoker and personally I would not mind if they ban smoking everywhere.
But why would you ban smoking and not for example driving a car. I am no scientist, but I am sure that polution caused by cars isn't very healthy either.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Joe Monterrubio:
09 Feb 2010 10:10:49am
Banning smoking in pedestrian malls? OK- smokers like myself won't like it but it is as sensible as banning smoking in workplaces and public buildings.
Banning smoking on crowded streets on the grounds of health or comfort of non-smokers is slightly silly.
A year or two ago Fremantle council was talking about such a ban for the High St cafe strip, for the convenience of all the al-fresco diners. Fair enough, but what about the thousands of cars and the occasional truck all idling by at about three km/h looking for a parking spot or cruising? Just a little bit more air pollution from all those tailpipes than from cigarettes I'll wager.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Smoke vs smoke:
09 Feb 2010 12:07:41pm
All the comparisons of cigarettes to vehicle pollution is rather petty. Last time I checked, most people don't walk around with their faces at tailpipe level in the middle of a street. When walking behind or close to a smoker, you will often get a concentrated cloud blown in your face, as the smoke has not had a chance to disperse.
Also, the argument that its "just smoke" is foolish. Cigarette smoke contains more than 50 toxic chemicals (http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm) that are deadly to humans, and to Grapho who said "It's not cyanide gas, it's only smoke.", actually, cigarettes DO contain hydrogen cyanide.
Another fact is that smokers have killed literally hundreds of people by carelessly discarding cigarettes. 520 people in 3 years in Europe alone. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette) So its not just the smoke itself that is the problem, its smokers and their attitudes as well.
Another issue is that there are many people out there, such as myself, that already have respiratory conditions, some of which can be set off by inhaling too much of someones else's smoke
Smoking should be banned from all medium to high density pedestrian areas, such as open malls and city sidewalks. Its not worth the damage it causes, or the costs, to continue to allow people to smoke there.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Take us on:
09 Feb 2010 10:17:02am
How about this - if you don't like the smoke go stand somewhere else.
The first person to tell me to butt out in an open public place is going to be VERY sorry.
Either make smoking illegal in this country or get out of my face.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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l_Spock_l:
09 Feb 2010 10:40:14am
Excellent idea! Why is smoking legal? Couldn't we just have nicotine inhalers so that you can get your fix? It is the "smoke" that is harmful. Surely your at an age where the "smoking is cool" is no longer relevant. If you inhaled, snorted, or injected your drug of choice in such a manner that it didn't impact others, who would have a problem? Why not ban smoking, and just change the nicotine imbuing method?
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Jay:
09 Feb 2010 10:45:15am
If you're in an open public place I'm not going to say or feel anything.
But if you're standing barely outside a doorway just because it's illegal to smoke indoors (and it's likely that smoking within a few metres of the entrance of a public building is also illegal) it's going to at least make me rather annoyed.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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fight time:
09 Feb 2010 11:11:04am
The first person to tell me to breathe cigarette smoke in an open public place is going to be VERY sorry.
Either make fresh air illegal in this country or get out of my face.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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John R:
09 Feb 2010 11:27:31am
or maybe - if you don't like the fresh air here go stand somewhere else.
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Josh:
09 Feb 2010 10:19:31am
Good move, the rights of smokers to pollute our public areas with smoke and litter are null and void.
Each cigarette smoked in this country costs the healthcare system in excess of $50,000.
I'd be happier if all smokers were required to have private health insurance, watch those public health system waiting lines disappear overnight!Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Lemon:
09 Feb 2010 10:19:31am
About time! this should have been enforced a long time ago and should be widely enforced around Australia. Smokers (especially) in the major cities (like Melbourne) are putting everyones lives at risk simply so they can ruin theirs. Smoking should have never got so accepted in the first place. Sure, smokers are used to the death the inhale and think we should just accept their 'right' to smoke, but think of the people around them that may suffer from bad cases of asthma or other lung or throat problems? Also most smokers simply throw their cigarettes in the bin or worse just throw them on the floor. I cant count the amount of bins i have seen in the city on fire because smokers do not get rid of their cigarette butts properly. I for one cannot wait until this is enforced everywhere and if i smoker still wishes to smoke they will need to do it at their own house and no where else.
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mik:
09 Feb 2010 10:20:05am
Very familiar with the areas in question and i dont see how the council will implement this stupid idea when they cant even stop the drinking that commonly occurs there, which i believe is already banned. its a nice idea as it is currently like walking through a bushfire, but what is the use of making laws you cant police. i would personally love to see a council officer approach a goup of half a dozen young smokers and try to hand out fines. lol.
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coolasacucumber:
09 Feb 2010 10:21:05am
It may to do more than just stop people going to those areas to smoke. It may stop the people who smoke from going to those areas.
A move to make the area of Frankston a nicer place to live or visit is welcome.
Not sure that I agree with fining people $110.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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wolfkeeng:
09 Feb 2010 10:21:13am
As a life-long non-smoker i think this kind of ban is ridiculous. Smoking outdoors is so not a problem. Even less so in light of the relatively small numbers of smokers in the community now. Do those posters complaining about having to 'run the gauntlet' or wailing 'won't someone think of the children' have the same concerns about car and truck emissions? Are people aware how much fine particle pollution (and illness) is generated by diesel engines? People living or working near any major arterial road in this highly urbanized country would be better advised directing their energies to controling vehicle emissions than cigarette emissions.
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Darkless:
09 Feb 2010 11:34:02am
So what you are saying, is that if cars are polluting than it is OK to add more pollution with smokes?
It the car was idling just outside the entrance then I would complain as well. But since cars park some distance away, then by default so should smokers.
I think the world is working toward zero emission cars. Once the technology becomes commerically viable than that source of pollution will be eliminated.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Steven:
09 Feb 2010 10:30:22am
I'm sure there are smokers who work at those shops who are now going to get a fine. I don't smoke, but I wouldn't be shopping there to express my distaste for such unfair laws/rules.
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John R:
09 Feb 2010 11:34:43am
It may also cause some people working at those shops to stop smoking, thus improving their health and quality of life. If you stop shopping there, then you are aiming at damaging profitability getting them to lose their jobs. I think on the whole, if you are going to affect peoples lives you are doing a better thing for them by stopping their smoking than stopping their job.
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chas:
09 Feb 2010 10:35:59am
About time and while they are at it I am fed up with running the gauntlet of women's perfume (and men's for that matter) when out shopping. The stink is often overwhelming and I'm sure there is a health risk there somwhere.
It is about time some people got a life.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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RexAlan:
09 Feb 2010 10:37:31am
Lets just ban everything including having fun. That's what it seems to becoming down to.
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KeithS:
09 Feb 2010 10:53:46am
"Lets just ban everything including having fun." Is "having fun" coughing and spluttering every morning when you get up? Being treated like a social leper? Wasting hard earned (?) cash as you see it go up in smoke? Poor health/fitness and increased/more medical bills? Stinking like an ashtray? Is this really what "having fun" is? If it is - please let's ban it immediately.
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Lois:
09 Feb 2010 10:38:38am
Ok, smokers, go ahead and smoke, but stop exhaling near me and all other people.
Make sure that when you DO exhale that it is far away enough from other people that the smoke is completely dispersed so the all the rest of us are protected from the toxins in the smoke you exhale.
Also, your smoke stinks. You probably wouldn't fart in my face, but you think it is acceptable to puff stinking tobacco smoke in my face.
And worst of all is that tobacco smoke triggers asthma in me and quite a few other people. You literally make us sick when you exhale smoke in the air we hav e to breathe.
Also, what do you tell yourself about what the toxins and carcinogens you suck into your body every time you smoke are doing to you? Why do you want to get cancer and heart disease? I REALLY don't get that.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Maureen:
09 Feb 2010 10:40:35am
I absolutely do agree with Melbourne Council ban on smoking at outdoor shopping strips. The same ban should be nation wide. Bus stops as well.
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Kooka:
09 Feb 2010 10:41:10am
If all you non-smokers don't like the "smell" of smoking outdoors, I hate the smell of your overpowering perfumes, rotten BO, cooking smells, car and bus fumes, etc. Let's ban all of these too. If you don't like the smell, just hold your breath for 10 -15 minutes, that should solve all of our problems.
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Lemon:
09 Feb 2010 11:06:18am
the smell is just one of the problems non-smokers have with it. non-smokers dont smoke because they want to be healthy, we dont want all the health-risks that come with smoking, if we did, we would smoke ourselves! but just because you might want to breath in toxins and get cancer, doesnt mean we have to as well.
car fumes, they are trying to develop new cars that dont emit the same deadly fumes, but thats a different topic. cooking smells? not going to kill you (and people arent cooking while walking down the street anyways). rotten BO? yes its bad, thats why people use perfumes etc, sure sometimes people put on too much, or its overpowering to begin with, but i would rather smell a strong scent of roses or flowers and crap like that rather than BO or worse, a nasty smell that will kill me.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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fight time:
09 Feb 2010 11:16:06am
Each of these will only get as far as the public in general will support them. I suggest you get involved in the anti-perfume, anti BO etc lobby groups, and help further the cause. If you can get enough public support behind you, you may get somewhere with them. In the meantime, there does appear to be enough people in the country disgusted with smoking for smoking bans to be appearing.
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mik:
09 Feb 2010 11:30:15am
i smoked for 12 years and never knew what the fuss was. since giving up i have to agree that smokers stink. you can get into an empty lift and know that a smoker has just got out. the only thing worse is that nice blend of nicotine and too much purfume that people think covers the smokers smell. sorry girls it doesn't work, think about that when you go to so much effort to look great but dont realise that you stink.
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Robert:
09 Feb 2010 10:44:29am
Wow...Rundle Mall would become a "Bogan Free Zone" overnight!
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Peter:
09 Feb 2010 10:47:01am
Personally I think smoking in public should be banned. It pretty bad when you go to the beach, or for a walk in the park or just walking down the street and someone in front of you lights a cigarette and you get a lung full. If I need to go to the bathroom I wait till I get home or use a public toilet. I don't just spray it in to the air without any thought about who I am inflicting it on.
I also live in apartment block and like to keep the balcony door open to allow fresh air in. Unfortunately my neighbour on the next level down, appears to only smoke on their balcony up to ten times a day. With their cigarette smoking wafting up and blowing through my apartment.
I have no problem with people smoking if they wish as long as it doesn't affect other people around them.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Dontknowtheanswer:
09 Feb 2010 11:13:37am
But Peter, if the guy below you cannot smoke in public and you don't want him to smoke at home, where does he go ?
These bans etc are all fine and dandy, but all they are doing is moving the issue elsewhere. If authorities are serious about not wanting such health issues then ban cigarettes out-right. The problem is, nobody is serious enough to do that. Its nothing more than a 'popularity' and "PC' thing to do.
But where will it stop ?? Smoking in such open air areas (to my understanding) offers next to no risk in terms of passive smoking, and is more an annoyance. Imagine other such annoyances to people ? As someone has mentioned strong perfume, crying babies, loud talkers, slow walkers, car pollution.
I'm an ex-smoker and have nothing to get offended over with this ban, but I do wonder where it will all end up.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Darkless:
09 Feb 2010 11:39:04am
As much as I hate smokers, I would not support a ban. It is every smokers right to smoke and he/she should be free to do so. It is where they smoke I have an issue with and the take up amongst children. Once your an adult smoke as much as you want, just well away high density public places and well away from me and my children.
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Peter:
09 Feb 2010 12:09:26pm
Inside!
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Rastus:
09 Feb 2010 10:49:26am
Let's bring in the cane, give people a good beating instead of a fine - it works overseas!
Education is the answer and we seem to be failing. Walk past any pub, club or restaurant at night and look at how many youngsters are smoking outside. It is alarming that despite the laws, warnings and education, we are still not getting through to them. I have been a long time advocate that smoking be banned indoors at these venues. No one has the right to inflict their smoke on thoese who don't want it. But if people want to kill themselves by smoking then we need to figure out why, not just push them into the back alleys. Mr Rudd could look at increasing the legal age for smoking instead of his hare brained thoughts on lifting the drinking age.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Sync:
09 Feb 2010 10:59:08am
I'm not a smoker and detest the habit but this is the thin end of the wedge. Ban smoking around building entrances or in outdoor cafes but why ban it for people walking down the street?
Education is a far better long term solution. Point out that smoking is ill-mannered, dirty and causes disease but we don't need to be wrapped in cotton wool.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Angus:
09 Feb 2010 11:01:31am
I agree,Queen Street Mall in Brisbane is a case in point where you have to walk through the palls of smoke & burning ill put out butts in ashtrays all day! Smoking areas should be on a very high roof somewhere with a Cessna engine revving full blast sucking away the stench!
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John R:
09 Feb 2010 11:41:39am
There could be a role for smoking rooms in public areas, where people can go in to smoke without affecting everyone else so much.
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Grapho:
09 Feb 2010 11:01:32am
For god's sake, listen to the hysterical little scared people clamoring righteously about their "gauntlet-running" when they catch a whiff of smoke outdoors. You poor little lambs probably live with more toxic and deadly vapors in your own home from cleaning products. Trying to sterelize everyone's life are you? It's not cyanide gas, it's only smoke. You have obviously been over-programmed by the media... don't go near a barbeque, you might inhale some smoke and die. Smokers, whether they are trying to quit or not must be about the most villified minority of all at the moment, and rather than the government having enough guts to ban the sale of smokes outright (oh yes, they'd lose too much money) they are conducting a campaign of squeezing them out of civillized life. Where was their smug political correctness when they watched while society was getting addicted to the things? Grow up everyone, outdoors is outdoors, where else can a person smoke, everywhere else is already cordoned off from them.
Double standards everywhere, a smoker is selfishly poisoning passers by, but I bet you arrogant complainers all produce your fair share of CO2 and carbon monoxide. Pfft.Agree (1) Alert moderator
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Lemon:
09 Feb 2010 11:27:16am
you have opened yourself up to a lot of flaming my friend. smoke from a BBQ and smoke from a cigarette are different in SOOO many ways. cigarette smoke include a large amount of toxins that you will never see from smoke from a BBQ. and the law to ban smoking outdoors isnt for EVERYWHERE outdoors, its for the busy shopping streets etc. eg. Bourke St Mall in Melbourne CBD is oe place. no cars are allowed to travel there, there are only trams which run on electricity. however the amount of smokers who walk down, puffing away (keep in mind that there are a lot of roofs over the walkways from the shops) believe they have a right to smoke there and that if you dont like smoking you should go to another place? that is simply outrageous.
sure, smokers can smoker outside, but still be mindful of the people around you. dont be so violent about us hating the cancer filled smoke.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Angus:
09 Feb 2010 11:50:55am
Wow Grapho, bet you're a smoker :) it's not the passive smoking I object to it's the stinking smoke smell & the STENCH of smouldering butts!
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smoketoomuch:
09 Feb 2010 11:15:53am
Why doesn't the council have a smoking room, like a shipping container. All the smoke can be kept in there, to a certain extent. People could also have a time clock and check cards so their pay can be docked for wasting time. I don't smoke yet it is not acceptable for me to stand outside for 15 minutes every hour or so because I'm addicted.
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Common Courtesy:
09 Feb 2010 11:17:07am
I support this move for many of the above reasons stated above, but I also respect a lot of the comments made by smokers.
I think in open streets there could/should be some leeway to let people smoke, but smokers need to take the initiative to be considerate of others. I attended a festival on the weekend and I found it extremely frustrating standing in crowds to see a band I paid money for when there are smokers rubbing shoulders with me lighting up three times during a set. Why should I have to be disadvantaged from seeing someone I want to see because I would like to breathe in air without cigarette smoke?
If they are in crowded places they shouldn't be lighting up, same goes for doorways and entrances where you have no other choice but to walk through smoke to get to your intended destination. It wouldn't get down to a debate about someones rights if more common courtesty had been displayed to date.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Mark:
09 Feb 2010 11:47:13am
All I can say is "about bloody time"
Lets face it smoking is a known, proven, health risk to both the smoker and those around them.
In addition both the actual smoke and the butts stink. It causes litter and it creates a fire and injury risk.
if people want to poison themselves, and stink up the space around them they are more than welcome to do this in the comfort of their own home, to do it in public is just disgusting selfish behaviour.
Many shopping areas in may cities around the world ban street smoking and particularly in places like Tokyo areas like Akihabara that have this rule are pleasant refuges from the choking stench of smokers waste productsAgree (0) Alert moderator
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Politically Incorrect:
09 Feb 2010 11:49:29am
If Christine Richards owns a car, shes a hypocrite.
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Sami:
09 Feb 2010 11:50:01am
Thank Goodness!
I am sick of holding my breath when walking past smokers. I hate the fact my baby can't do the same. It's a disgusting and unhealthy habit, like alot of things that I realise aren't illegal. But smoking affects unwilling bystanders and passers by. Do it in your own home. Don't subject others to your cancer causing substances.
I live near Frankston, and might just shop there from now on to enjoy the Smoke Free outdoors.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Brian:
09 Feb 2010 12:01:57pm
This is really tough on smokers, after all they already get the death penalty.
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smoker:
09 Feb 2010 12:38:57pm
"See, I know you entertain some kind of eternal life fantasy because you've chosen not to smoke; let me be the first to pop that bubble and send you hurtling back to reality because you're dead too." - Bill Hicks.
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Laughable:
09 Feb 2010 12:07:04pm
As an ex smoker, I can see both sides of the fence - As a smoker I was outraged by any such suggestion of banning cigarette smoking in public, how dare they take away my right to slowly poison myself to death anywhere I chose to!
As a smoker you don't realise the stench your habit causes - Your clothes, your breath... When you come inside after a cigarette the smell is absolutely vile.
I don't appreciate having to walk through clouds of smoke to get where I'm going, and I also don't appreciate the constant dropping of cigarette butts on the ground either - and yes, I ALWAYS found a bin for my cigarette butts or used a pocket sized butt bin as a temporary measure.
If smokers collectively could stop dropping their butts all over the place then Id be less supportive of this, however as they can't I say bring it on!Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Aldaron:
09 Feb 2010 12:09:21pm
I'll support a ban on cigarettes when the government bans alcohol. I'm personally far, far more concerned that some piss-head will run me off the road and kill me than the infinitesmal increase in the odds I'll get cancer from the odd bit of sidestream smoke I might get from time to time.
Figure out which one does more damage to our society. How many broken homes from smoking? How many spouses are beaten after their partners smoke too many fags? How many kids left in locked, hot cars while their parents smoke for hours somewhere?
I don't think there is a bigger pack of whiners than the anti-smoking lobby (and no, I'm not a smoker).Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Elsie:
09 Feb 2010 12:13:42pm
Nik the smokers for loitering!
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Klutar:
09 Feb 2010 12:14:46pm
All of us smokers will quit, if the rest of you pay for all the lost revenue through extra taxes.
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vfmarky:
09 Feb 2010 12:16:01pm
Catching someone else's tobacco smoke in the street is a momentary nuisance, no doubt, but I'd like to see the existing smoking bans around cafes tightened up if not properly enforced. In a St Kilda side street this weekend having dinner al fresco was anything but the pleasant experience it should have been. A warm windless night and there's a group on the next table puffing merrily away annoying the rest of the diners - even though we were mostly in the open it just wasn't appropriate. Next morning doing breakfast at a well-known Fitzroy Street cafe outdoors under a covered patio same thing. Nearby ciggie smoke wafting across - apparently OK according to the manager. Not OK with the customers
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matt:
09 Feb 2010 12:17:47pm
Thank goodness, about time. I dont moke and have a respitory illness and I want to be able to move trough doors to a supermarket without having to hold my breath or get sick from someone elses addiction. Why not just ban smoking and have a addiction help serivce until smokers get better.
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Beetle:
09 Feb 2010 12:18:38pm
This is a democracy. Smokers are in the minority. If all you non smokers and anti smokers got off your soapboxes and sat at your desks to write to your Federal member you could have your way and get smoking banned. If you are all so concerned about the detrimental consequences of smoking on health (yours and smoker's) you would make a proper stand in the proper forum.
If it's so bad why is it legal?
Before whining about the cost on the health system do some maths on how much revenue is raised from the taxes on tobacco products.
Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet yet the government is happy to have us addicted for the money they get from us addicts.
As a nicotine addict I'll be happy to sign your petition for a referendum on banning the sale of tobacco products.
Put up or shut up.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Governmentcopout:
09 Feb 2010 12:19:28pm
I agree that smoking should be banned in ALL public places.
The government should get realistic & ban cigarettes altogether as they are a drug & affect more people than some of the other already banned drugs.
The only problem that I can see is that the government is so two faced about the problem.
On the one hand collecting so much tax from cigarette sales but on the other hand saying it is a problem in society.
Like always the government wants to have its cake & eat it too.
Alcohol too causes so many more problems in society but once again we have our concerned government putting out their hands for all the revenue it generates.
I take my hat off to the local councils who have the courage to do what our government does not.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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OZ-Samurai:
09 Feb 2010 12:52:51pm
Taxing cigarettes is the governments way of deterring smoking... they have done studies that show it is actually a zero sum equation when tax is increased on anything.
People decide that it costs too much, so they don't buy it... cigarettes cost too much, so people quit smoking. Less people smoke, less tax revenue.
As for making any drug illegal... well that never works and there is an arguement for making all drugs legal. BUT that would never happen. Smoking kills you slowly... but the other legal drug, alcohol... there is a real killer right there.
The answer isn't in banning anything... the answer is in education. So this council bans public smoking... it is also running an edicational campaign, which is absolutely needed.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Lawn:
09 Feb 2010 12:26:36pm
Smokers really are an angry bunch. How about you take your drug habit somewhere else? Or perhaps instead take a drug that doesn't directly affect people walking down the freakin street? And the fact that cars pollute, or that there are greenhouse gasses affecting our health, or that Milli Vanilli were just miming, are just irrellevant to this argument. It's patently clear that smokers come from a lower socio-economic class of people.
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Beetle:
09 Feb 2010 1:01:15pm
How gracious of you to bless us with your opinions.
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OZ-Samurai:
09 Feb 2010 12:27:23pm
The ban on smoking on the streets is a good idea. I am a smoker and when I smoke I want to enjoy the experience, so I sit and take my time smoking.
When I am out walking, shopping and enjoying "smoke free" air, I don't want to be breathing second hand smoke from someone walking up wind from me. Also I think about my kids... why should they be exposed to passive smoking?
But if you came to Tokyo (10 million people resident in the city and 25 million in an area the size of Sydney) there are whole wards (districts/suburbs) that ban smoking on the street. In this situation they set-up little rest spots for smokers (with vending machines).
So kicking the habit is hard... but as a smoker I support the ban on smoking while walking on the streets. If this trail goes well, then you should consider expanding it... like they have done in Tokyo.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Jerry:
09 Feb 2010 12:39:47pm
This is going way too far. I think if people want to smoke that's there choice.
I think that Govt should be concentrating on crime and people who do the wrong thing. Smoking is not harming anyone else especially while outside. I think these Councils need to get a grip and maybe need to find other interest in their personnel life.Agree (0) Alert moderator
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Leigh:
09 Feb 2010 1:00:18pm
My Mum died a very slow and painful and undignified death through cancer - the doctors based on a series of lung xrays over a 15 year period attributed her cancer to passive smoking - she never smoked a cigarette in her life - the doctors cut out her stomach, her pancreas and her throat - she could not eat or talk for the last 2 years of her life - she was fed through tubes. Anyone who has had the misfortune to watch a loved one die under these circumstances will understand me when I take the extreme view of saying we should ban smoking in every public place. Hopefully that will save another family having to go through what we went through.
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Echidna:
09 Feb 2010 1:00:46pm
Yes! As someone who is ALLERGIC - yes - ALLERGIC - to passive smoke - this is fantastic! Let's have more of it! PLEASE!!!
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Shell:
09 Feb 2010 1:01:05pm
About time. Should go further than strip malls. There is nothing worse that standing at traffic lights or walking down the street being forced to breath used smoke or burnt by smokers waving their smokes around without a care in the world. I don't care if anyone wants to smoke just dont inflict it on me.
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