October 2002

Smoke-free expands to pubs, clubs and bingo centres

Some 5,000 pubs, gaming venues and bingo centres in Victoria now must provide smoke-free areas for their patrons.

Minister for Health John Thwaites said the reforms were another significant step on the road to better health for all Victorians through the toughest anti-smoking reforms in Australia.

‘They are the latest in a range of measures to reduce the harmful effects of smoking in our community—including the introduction of smoke-free dining, which been extremely successful.

‘From September 1, 99 per cent of Victoria’s gaming rooms were required to be completely smoke-free.

‘The main gaming floors at Crown Casino are also required to be smoke-free, along with six of Crown’s 12 bar areas. Victoria’s 23 bingo centres will also be smoke-free.

‘The new laws also mean 90 per cent of Victorian hotels and clubs will have to provide more smoke-free areas. That means nearly 5,000 pubs will be providing at least one smoke-free room.

‘The Victorian community agrees the reforms will help combat passive smoking.

‘A survey of 200 Victorians showed more than 80 per cent thought the laws would help minimise the harms of passive smoking.

‘Research also shows that awareness about the new laws among gaming venue operators is high.

‘A study by the Department of Human Services has found that, out of 260 venue operators, more than 90 per cent were aware of the new tobacco reforms.’

To ensure the laws are properly enforced, local government has been given almost $1 million this financial year for education about and enforcement of the new laws.

‘As part of a Statewide information campaign about the laws, booklets explaining the reforms have been sent to all licensed venues, gaming venues and bingo centres.

‘Passive smoking was estimated to cause 1,600 deaths in Australia each year.

‘These are concerning statistics for every Victorian—that’s why the Government has made the reduction of passive smoking in the Victorian community such a big priority.

‘The popular smoke-free dining initiative has led to Victorians demanding more smoke-free environments and that’s what we’re delivering with this latest wave of reforms.’