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Smoke-free Communities

Community

SMOKE-FREE AREAS - WHY HAVE THEM?

Council recognizes that smoke-free and vape-free areas are important because they:

  • protect the community from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, and the aerosol from e-cigarettes
  • make smoking and vaping in the community less acceptable. The less people see smoking and vaping in public places, the less they will think it is okay, and instead, harmful
  • support people who have quit or are trying to quit smoking and vaping.

Under the Public Health Act 1997, lots of places are already smoke-free in Tasmania:

  • Inside public places (such as restaurants and shops) and within 3 metres of an entry to a public building.
  • Pedestrian malls.
  • Between the flags on patrolled beaches and outdoor areas at public pools.
  • Outdoor dining areas at times when food can be eaten.
  • Within 10 metres of playground equipment.
  • Within 20 metres of competition and seating areas at sportsgrounds.
  • Bus malls and within 3 metres of bus shelters.
  • In cars when a child (under 18 years) is inside.

Smoke free areas in tasmania

[Image source: www.health.tas.gov.au]

SMOKE-FREE HIGH STREET

From April 2024 the entire length of High Street, New Norfolk, is also Smoke-Free. Signage has been installed. The aim is to ensure clean air for the children, workers, visitors and locals using our town’s main thoroughfare, while also reducing rubbish and supporting High Street businesses – food businesses particularly.

The New Norfolk Market, held every Saturday in High Street, has been proudly smoke-free since 2019.

Side streets are unaffected by this initiative.

WILL IT BE ENFORCED?

It is an offence Under Section 67C of the Public Health Act 1997 to smoke in a smoke-free area. However, experience shows that with the right communication these areas are primarily self-enforcing. Council will continue to monitor and review this initiative and assess the need for additional measures to ensure its success.

HEALTH PROMOTION

The objective of the smoke free initiative is to contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of our community by reducing the prevalence of smoking and the harm it causes. A public health campaign to help reduce smoking in our community will be rolled-out over coming months with the support of the Health Department and Quit Tasmania. More on this soon.

Council is currently working on a ‘Healthy Tasmania’ grant-funded project. This will deliver a social profile of the Derwent Valley which includes health statistics and data specific to our community. This project is the precursor to Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy, currently in development. The smoke-free initiative will fall under that strategy and reported on accordingly.

Council’s smoke-free initiative is aligned with the following Tasmanian Government Strategies:

The smoke-free initiative positions our community well to trial further initiatives designed to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.