November 10, 2015
Legislation is being introduced into the State Parliament to ban smoking at children’s sporting events, public swimming pools, aged care facilities and some National Parks.
Childcare centres and bus stops will also be off limits to smokers, and Councils will be able to designate areas as smoke-free.
Health Minister Cameron Dick on Tuesday said more than 3700 Queenslanders died every year as a result of smoking.
“Smoking, even second-hand smoke, is proven to cause cancer,” he said.
“That is why our government is taking strong action to support people who want to stop smoking, and to protect the rest of us who choose not to smoke.”
Proposed changes to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act will:
- Ban smoking at or near children’s organised sporting events and skate parks
- Ban smoking in and around approved early childhood education and care services, including kindergartens and places offering after-school care
- Ban smoking at all residential aged care facilities outside of designated areas
- Increase the smoke-free buffer at all government, commercial and non‑residential building entrances from four to five metres
- Ban smoking at pedestrian precincts around prescribed State Government buildings
- Ban smoking at specified National Parks or parts of National Parks, and at public swimming pools
- Ban smoking at all outdoor pedestrian malls and public transport waiting points
- Empower Councils to ban smoking in any other public space
- Ban the sale of tobacco products from pop-up retail outlets, such as at music festivals
“This legislation will give local councils the power to transform any street or public space in their area not covered by State no-smoking laws into a smoke-free zone, from restaurant precincts and shopping strips to parks and other places families congregate,” Mr Dick said.
