[Greens-Media] Outdoor diners need smoke-free protection

[John Kaye]

Outdoor diners need smoke-free protection 
 
Media release: 10 September 2010
 
The Greens are calling on the NSW Cabinet to agree to a ban on smoking
in outdoor dining areas ('State mulls uniform ban on outdoor smoking'
SMH 10 September, page 2, http://bit.ly/smh100910).
 
Greens Health Services spokesperson John  Kaye said: "Since 2005
evidence has been mounting that second hand smoke in outdoor settings
can result in significant exposure to nicotine and other dangerous
chemicals.
 
"Al fresco diners deserve the same protection from other people's
cigarette smoke that indoor diners have come to expect.
 
"Premier Keneally and her ministers will need to sort through the same
arguments that their predecessors went through a decade ago when indoor
diners were finally protected from side stream smoke.
 
"Local governments have led the way with bans within a number of 
municipalities. The NSW government must now come to the table and ban
all smoking in outdoor dining areas.
 
"The Keneally government must be strong enough to stand up to those
elements of the restaurant industry who will argue that it will damage
their business.
 
"Just as the indoor dining ban increased the number of customers, an
outdoor ban will help boost summer patronage.
 
"The total cost of smoking to NSW is $6.6 billion a year, including
health services expenses of $476 million.
 
"Without a ban on smoking in outdoor eating areas, enjoyment of al
fresco dining on a warm summers evening is often limited by other
people's cigarette smoke.
 
"The Greens join with the Cancer Council in calling for a ban across a
wide range of outdoor venues including sporting stadia and grounds,
children's playgrounds, outdoor entertainment areas and venues, crowded
beach locations, taxi stands, bus stops and within seven metres of
public building entrances,” Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000