Smoke-free outdoor dining comes into effect 6th of July 2015 - NSW

As of 6 July 2015, all commercial outdoor dining areas in NSW, including hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes will be smoke-free, under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000.

NSW Health director of the Centre for Population Health, Dr Jo Mitchell, said the ban represents the next step in the NSW Government’s efforts to protect the public from the effects of second-hand smoke. This means staff and patrons of hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes will be able to work and dine outdoors without being exposed to harmful second-hand tobacco smoke.

• From 6 July 2015, all commercial outdoor dining areas in NSW will be smoke-free.
• Smoking will be a banned within 4 metres of a pedestrian entry or exit from a hospitality venue (the ‘4 metre law’).
• The bans apply to any ignited smoking product including cigarettes, pipes and water-pipes.
• Penalties for non-compliance may apply:
• on the spot fines of $300 for individuals;
• $550 for an owner not displaying required signage in a commercial outdoor dining area;
• up to $5,500 for the business owner.

“There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. Research has shown individuals in typical public outdoor dining areas may be exposed to high levels of second-hand smoke,” says Mitchell.

“Creating smoke-free outdoor areas reduces exposure to second-hand smoke and can support those who have quit and are trying to quit. It also makes smoking less visible to children and young people.”

Under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, all ignited smoking products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and water-pipes will be banned in seated outdoor dining areas while food is being served, attracting on the spot fines of $300 for individuals and penalties of up to $5500 for occupiers who ignore the ban.

“There is strong public support for making outdoor dining areas smoke-free and a number of businesses have already voluntarily banned smoking in their outdoor dining areas, with positive results,” said Mitchell.

“A 2013 survey showed that 75 percent of respondents supported banning smoking in all outdoor areas of hotels, restaurants and cafes, so it’s not surprising to hear that many restaurants and cafes that have already gone smoke-free and have found strong support from the community and particularly families with young children.” 

NSW Health invites businesses to register on health.nsw.gov.au/smokefree for updates about smoke-free outdoor dining and to order free materials including an industry guide and mandatory outdoor ‘no smoking’ signage.

For information on how to quit smoking, visit www.iCanQuit.com.au or ring the Quitline on 13 78 48.

Sources:
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/outdoor-dining.aspx
http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/Food/News/NSW-to-introduce-smoking-ban-in-outdoor-dining-are