First pubs, now parks targeted in Australian smoking ban

Sydney - Australian smokers have even fewer places in which to confidently light up after a Sydney council named parks and bus stops as smoke-free zones.

Mosman Council last week agreed to fine offenders 110 dollars (87.50 US) for smoking in parks, public squares, underground carparks and enclosed bus shelters in the affluent northern Sydney suburb, mayor Denise Wilton said on Monday.

Wilton said the new regulations were a natural progression for the council which three years ago outlawed the increasingly anti-social practice on beaches, sporting ovals and other council premises.

Smoking is already banned from most areas of pubs and clubs in New South Wales state and the practice will be totally banned in enclosed spaces in licenced premises from July this year.

"We're responding to the community," Wilton said of the new ban. "They (residents) have been really happy with it."

Smokers will now only be able to light up in the smoking designated areas of restaurants and on the street if they wish to smoke in public, she said.

Hong Kong and parts of the United States are among other territories and countries to have banned smoking in public parks.

Agence France Presse

Great move. I get sick of smokers who talk about their `rights` to smoke. How about the rights of non-smokers not to have to inhale their filth.

About time!!! I think smoking should be treated a bit like alcohol. You can partake it at home and in licenced premises, so smokers should be able to smoke at home and in smoking approved premises such as designated buildings with air filters and these can be set up by smokers or whoever wants to make a buck from it.

I don't mind a drink but think the effects are only on me (as long as I don't fight or drink and drive etc) but smoking effects anyone within breathing distance of the smoke.

Lets continue to control the smokers away from public areas and start fining them for littering when they throw away the butts.

Brow

Hey Brow,
I agree....but how hard is it to police the butt litterers?
They would need to have people on patrol in too many
places to catch them out...I don't think its doable really.