June 2007

Pubs on the way to ‘smoke-free’

New smoking laws will provide a breath of fresh air for patrons, owners and hospitality staff, says Health Minister Bronwyn Pike.

‘Tobacco smoke is responsible for close to 4,000 deaths in Victoria each year and costs the community more than $5 billion annually in health care and social costs.

‘Reducing the harm of smoking is one of the Government’s highest priorities and this reform is part of a package of tobacco initiatives that has been introduced in the last six years.’

The latest tobacco reforms come into effect on July 1 and prohibit smoking in all enclosed licensed pubs and clubs, as well as outdoor dining or drinking areas where the area has a roof in place and walls that cover more than 75 per cent of the total area.

Ms Pike said the new reforms added to current bans that prohibit smoking in restaurants and cafes, shopping centres, gaming venues, underage music and dance events, enclosed workplaces and covered areas of train station platforms, tram and bus shelters.

She said recent research conducted by the Cancer Council of Victoria provided strong evidence that the laws would not impact upon business trade for pubs and clubs.

‘Research shows 26 per cent of respondents who regularly visit licensed premises say they will attend more often once

they are smoke free and 70 per cent said the smoking ban will have no effect on whether they will continue going to pubs and clubs,’ Ms Pike said.