Plans to ban inner city smoking were proposed for consideration by Melbourne City Councillor Richard Foster last month.
Cr Foster has encouraged discussion of a blanket ban, which would see the introduction of designated smoking areas in the CBD.
The State Government recently highlighted growing public concern surrounding the issue, announcing a ban on smoking at swimming pools, playground areas and skate parks.
Smokers: a rude bunch
Cr Foster says the Council receive hundreds of complaints from the public, some of whom can’t even find a smoke-free place to sit down in the city.
With inner city smoke becoming difficult for the public to manage, alternative methods of control have become the focus
“The burden then gets shifted to the Government. One Government or another needs to accept responsibility”, says Cr Foster.
Where you can’t light up
Smokers are already prohibited by Council bylaws from smoking in malls, shopping centres and enclosed workplaces.
How would the smoking ban work?
Cr Foster says the proposed ban would be heavily reliant on the cooperation of smokers
“Bans like this need to be heavily self-enforced. It would involve conducting a well funded, expensive education process with infringements left as a last resort…which, in my mind, is money well spent”, he says.
In a bid to avoid rebellion by smokers, control measures would be introduced over a period of time, but wouldn’t be policed by enforcement officers
“We would phase in any changes. We want to make sure that smokers are used to the restrictions”, says Cr Foster.
Users of city amenities are concerned by smoke and litter Photo: Jessi Muston
Smoking in harmony
Non-smoker, Christy Giardina, works in the city and says even though second-hand smoke sometimes bothers her, a ban may not be the best way to go
“I’m an asthmatic and cigarette smoke can cause me to have a reaction, but I think resources could be better spent on education and trying to prevent people from taking up smoking,” she says.
According to CBD smoker Andrea Tamakaha, the existing regulations are more than enough
“People that smoke and work in the CBD should not be made to go out of their way to engage in a completely legal and already heavily taxed activity”, she says.
Ms Tamakaha says common courtesies and respect for other people create a smoking etiquette that removes the need for a broader ban.
Victoria’s Quitline service provides advice and support for smokers trying to butt-out for good
