Delivering a healthy WA - smoking banned in pubs and clubs

28/11/04
Western Australia will be one of the first States in the nation to enforce a total smoking ban in pubs and clubs.
Premier Geoff Gallop said new smoking restrictions would come into effect from January 1, 2005, with a total ban in enclosed places to come into force in July 2006.
Dr Gallop said the timetable for the bans had the support of health groups and the Australian Hotels Association.
"A ban on smoking in enclosed places has been on the cards for a long time and regulations have now been proclaimed to phase in a total ban," he said.
"It is good for the health of people working in pubs and clubs. It is good for people who smoke. It is good for hospitality patrons. It is good for all Western Australians."
Research showed that smoking accounted for about 19,000 deaths in Australia each year. An average of 1,500 of those deaths were in WA.
In 2002, more than 14,000 people were admitted to WA hospitals with smoking-related conditions, costing the WA health system more than $60million.
A recent survey conducted for Quit WA found that 78 per cent of people supported a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places.
The survey also found that 58 per cent of smokers would smoke less once smoking was banned in licensed venues and 31 per cent would quit altogether.
Dr Gallop said changes to the State's Health Regulations would see the smoking ban introduced in three stages over 19 months:

• from January 1, 2005, an industry code of practice in licensed venues would prohibit smoking within one metre of the bar;
• smoking would be limited to one room only in any licensed premises by November 1, 2005; and
• a total smoking ban in all enclosed public places would be in place by July 2006.

The Premier said the question of smoking in the International Room at Burswood Casino would be addressed in a review of smoking regulations next year.
A ban on smoking within five metres of a State Government building entrance and 10m of air-conditioning vents would also be enforced from January 1, 2005. This applied to offices, hospitals, courts and police stations.
"People don't want to be walking through a haze of cigarette smoke when they enter a hospital or a government building," Dr Gallop said.
The Premier said wherever possible, Government buildings would set aside designated areas for smokers.
A report to be done by July, 2005 would look at ways of reducing smoking in prisons and psychiatric institutions.
Health Minister Jim McGinty said that for the first time, a State Government had achieved consensus from the Australian Hotels Association and health bodies on smoking after months of consultation.
Mr McGinty said the Government would work with the hospitality industry to ensure the impact on business was minimal.
Assistance would be available through Tourism Western Australia and the Small Business Development Corporation for marketing and promotion campaigns for the hospitality industry.
"We recognise it is a big shift for the hospitality industry to become totally smoke-free and this package, devised in consultation with the AHA, should help ease the transition," the Minister said.
The Government will also look at offering extended trading permits to pubs and clubs for special events under the Liquor Licensing Act.
Mr McGinty said there would also be greater scope for licensed premises to use outdoor areas for patrons who still wanted to smoke.
"WA has consistently led the field in tobacco control nationally and internationally," he said.
"A total smoking ban in enclosed places by July, 2006 confirms that WA has among the toughest smoking restrictions of any Australian State."

Minister for Health's office: 9220 5000
Premier's Office: 9222 9475