South Burnett sporting and community groups can get advice about how they can comply with Queensland’s tough tobacco laws at a free workshop in Kingaroy this month

July 5, 2017

South Burnett sports and community groups can learn how to avoid getting fined for breaching Queensland’s tough new tobacco laws at a free workshop this month.

The new laws were introduced last September.

They are among the toughest in Australia, and can result in steep on-the-spot fines for breaches.

They forbid smoking within:

  • 5 metres of public transport waiting points such as bus stops, taxi ranks, and ferry terminals
  • 5 metres of early childhood education and care services, kindergartens, and after school hour care
  • 5 metres of all residential aged care facilities, outside of designated areas
  • 5 metres of all non-residential building entrances
  • 10 metres of playing and viewing areas during organised under-18 sporting events
  • 10 metres of skate parks
  • 10 metres of in-use campsites and any public facilities in National Parks (from February 1, 2017)

Smoking is also forbidden at:

  • All outdoor pedestrian malls
  • Pedestrian precincts around prescribed state government buildings
  • Public swimming pools
  • Outdoor public places such as patrolled beaches, children’s playground equipment and major sports stadiums
  • In cars where children under the age of 16 are present
  • Anywhere inside pubs, clubs, restaurants and workplaces
  • At commercial outdoor eating or drinking areas
  • At schools, and for 5 metres outside their boundaries
  • At hospitals and health facilities, and for 5 metres outside their boundaries
  • Any areas designated by a Council in any public space not covered by a State-wide smoking bans

The South Burnett Regional Council will be holding a free workshop on Thursday, July 20 at the Town Common Hall in Oliver Bond Street, Kingaroy from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

Apart from tobacco law compliance, the session will also provide information about the State Government’s “Get in the Game” funding programs and other funding opportunities, Council leases and licences, food licencing, building and plumbing approvals and the effects these may have community groups.

Light refreshments will be provided from 6:00pm.

In addition, groups who RSVP by July 13 will be provided with a personalised map with suggested designated smoking and non-smoking areas for their facility.

RSVPs can be made by phoning Regina Sloper at the Council on (07) 4189-9100 or by emailing her


 

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