Leichhardt council goes smoke free

From 1 July, outdoor dining areas at all council-leased businesses in Leichhardt Council will go smoke free, as part of Council’s push to improve the amenity of its streets and the wellbeing of the community.

While there was some resistance to this measure when it was first put forward by Independent councillor John Stamolis in April 2009, the ban now enjoys widespread support from Council members, the local community and business.

Member for Balmain and Leichhardt councillor, Jamie Parker, said that with 82 percent of the NSW community non-smokers, it was time for Leichhardt to embrace a clean air policy.

“Smoking, even passive smoking, is undeniably a major health risk,” Cr Parker said.

“Allowing people to smoke in outdoor dining areas affects other diners, restaurant staff and even passersby.

Cr Parker said that the success of similar bans elsewhere in Australia, including in Queensland where bans have been in place since July 2006, demonstrates the bans don’t impact negatively on local business.

“Many people even avoid places where they will be exposed to other people’s smoke, so residents will welcome the chance to get back to outdoor dining venues,” he said.

“Everyone is entitled to breathe clean air.”

Labor Councillor Lyndal Howison said residents were ready to embrace the change for a healthier, more vibrant community.

“The smoking ban has had a pretty unanimous level of support,” Cr Howison said.

“Personally, my position is that smoking and food and eating don’t mix.

“I know sometimes smokers feel besieged, and it’s true that the entertainment industry is becomingless and less amenable to smoking. But the vast volume of health research suggests that by making harder for people to smoke we’re actually helping them, so I think that’s a good thing.”

Evidence uncovered by the Cancer Council in 2007 showed that exposure to second hand smoke in outdoor areas is comparable to the level of exposure in enclosed spaces, indicating a real health risk to patrons of alfresco dining where smoking is permitted.

Trailblazers of similar smoking bans across Sydney include the northern beaches Councils of Manly, Mosman, Warringah and Pittwater, all of which have had a policy of smoke-free dining areas since2004. Waverly Council, home of tourist hub Bondi Beach, adopted a similar ban in February 2010. Around half of NSW’s councils have regulations banning smoking in outdoor dining areas.

By Tamara Smallhorn