Councils urged to ban smoking in outdoor cafes

July 26, 2007

The AMA (WA) applauds the City of Fremantle's decision to ban smoking in alfresco dining areas - and says other councils should now follow their lead.

"Fremantle has made a courageous decision to put the health and wellbeing of West Australians first and to ensure that eating outdoors is both enjoyable and risk free," said association President Prof Geoff Dobb.

"While the State Government has been reluctant to extend smoking bans in pubs and clubs to outdoor dining, local government can show the way by taking its own steps to protect the health of the community."

Prof Dobb said similar bans had already been imposed throughout Queensland and by some NSW councils.

"The AMA calls on all WA councils to bite the bullet and impose smoking bans in outdoor dining areas immediately," he said.

"The sidewalk cafes of Northbridge have become a haven for smokers and will be even worse now that smoking is banned along Fremantle's cappuccino strip.

"Perth City Council should wake up to the fact that many families will choose to take their kids to smoke-free Freo rather than see them drown in cigarette smoke sitting in James Street's outdoor restaurants."

Prof Dobb said the vast majority of Australians – more than 85 per cent – were non-smokers and were entitled to eat in healthy smoke free environments.

He said there was incontrovertible proof that there was no risk-free safe level of exposure to second hand smoke.

"Parents who smoke in their cars and in the home are also putting their kids at risk," said Prof Dobb.

"We urge them to think of the consequences of their habit and to butt out for the sake of their children."

Media Contacts