Outdoor diners need smoke-free protection
Media release: 10 September 2010
The Greens are calling on the NSW Cabinet to agree to a ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas ('State mulls uniform ban on outdoor smoking' SMH 10 September, page 2, http://bit.ly/smh100910).
Greens Health Services spokesperson John Kaye said: "Since 2005 evidence has been mounting that second hand smoke in outdoor settings can result in significant exposure to nicotine and other dangerous chemicals.
"Al fresco diners deserve the same protection from other people's cigarette smoke that indoor diners have come to expect.
"Premier Keneally and her ministers will need to sort through the same arguments that their predecessors went through a decade ago when indoor diners were finally protected from side stream smoke.
"Local governments have led the way with bans within a number of municipalities. The NSW government must now come to the table and ban all smoking in outdoor dining areas.
"The Keneally government must be strong enough to stand up to those elements of the restaurant industry who will argue that it will damage their business.
"Just as the indoor dining ban increased the number of customers, an outdoor ban will help boost summer patronage.
"The total cost of smoking to NSW is $6.6 billion a year, including health services expenses of $476 million.
"Without a ban on smoking in outdoor eating areas, enjoyment of al fresco dining on a warm summers evening is often limited by other people's cigarette smoke.
"The Greens join with the Cancer Council in calling for a ban across a wide range of outdoor venues including sporting stadia and grounds, children's playgrounds, outdoor entertainment areas and venues, crowded beach locations, taxi stands, bus stops and within seven metres of public building entrances,” Dr Kaye said.
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455
