Local MPs urged to back anti-smoking Bill

Media release from the AMA (WA)

AMA (WA) President Prof Gary Geelhoed has written to every Member of the WA Parliament urging them to support a private member's Bill which will ban smoking in alfresco dining areas and in cars carrying children.

"This legislation can save lives and would reduce many smoking-related illnesses as well as lowering the rate of respiratory diseases among young children," said association President Prof Gary Geelhoed.

"The Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2008 will also bring WA into line with NSW, South Australia and Tasmania. All other States have similar legislation in the pipeline".

Prof Geelhoed said the Bill was an important health measure which would also lower absenteeism in the workplace and the cost of health care in WA.

"In particular, the association and the medical profession at large believe that smoking bans in alfresco dining areas and in cars carrying children are essential – and long overdue," he said.

"There is also strong support for preventing point-of-sale displays of cigarettes which is part of the Bill."

Prof Geelhoed said while a number of major local councils had introduced smoking bans in alfresco dining areas, not all were prepared to take action and this would ultimately lead to widespread confusion in the community.

"Next year, for instance, diners will not be allowed to smoke in outdoor cafes in Northbridge, Fremantle and Leederville, but it will be permitted in Subiaco," he said.

Prof Geelhoed said the AMA (WA) congratulated Alfred Cove MLA, Dr Janet Woollard, for introducing the Bill and would be encouraging the community to lobby local MPs asking them to support the Bill when it came back before Parliament next March.

"We have no doubt that those organisations supporting the tobacco and liquor industries will be lobbying just as hard to prevent the Bill getting through Parliament," he said.

"If that happened it would have serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of the community and leave WA out of step with the rest of the nation."

Read More