A STATEWIDE ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas has widespread community backing, new research shows.
The Cancer Council Victoria data shows that seven in 10 adults want smoking banned in alfresco dining areas – up from 58 percent in 2004.
More than six in 10 want smoking stubbed out at train stations and bus and tram stops.
The 2011 Attitudes to Smoking in Outdoor Areas report also showed the majority of smokers support a ban on smoking in hospital grounds or outdoor areas around children.
Victoria is the only state yet to introduce or announce smoking bans in outdoor dining areas.
Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper said smoke-free alfresco areas helped “denormalise” smoking for young people and helped recent quitters to stay off smoking.
Quit executive director Fiona Sharkie said similar laws in Queensland spurred one in five smokers to try to quit.
“Councils across Victoria are doing great work implementing smoke-free areas, but they are all saying the same thing: they want an across-the-board ban from the state government.”
Heart Foundation Victoria chief executive Kathy Bell said smoke-free legislation was needed to drive down smoking rates and protect people from secondhand smoke.
Western suburbs Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the research backed her call for smoking bans in outdoor dining areas, playgrounds, public transport stops and ‘between the flags’ on beaches.
She said the government had until November to introduce smoke-free area laws or face Greens legislation.
Iain Munro, who runs Yarraville cafes Cornershop and Wee Jeanie, supports a blanket ban that would apply across the state.
Cleaning ashtrays is his least favourite part of the job, and he says smoke from outside tables can find its way indoors.
“I think it [the ban] would help a lot. You look at pubs; people said the pubs would die with smoking bans and they’re still there.”
A spokeswoman for state Health Minister David Davis said the government was speaking with a range of stakeholders regarding possible directions for anti-smoking measures.
