Smoking is injurious to health, not only for the smokers but also for people around. And, this is the reason why there seems big need for restricted smoking areas. In outdoor public places, there should be only specific areas where smoking is permissible. For example, in areas like alfresco dining and children’s playgrounds, smoking should be totally banned.

Considering this, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has recently asked the State Government to offer an outline for smoking in outdoor areas so that areas beyond them could be restricted for it.

In the City of Whittlesea, no such laws exist and therefore, in its public outdoor spaces, no designation like “no smoking area” is mentioned. The council is also in favor of MAV’s scheme for uniform ban. According to the council, with help of Tobacco Act, such law changes in concern to outdoor smoking should be made as this way one set of laws would be there to follow by the residents.

As told by Ralph Mertins, who is the performing manager for health, inferno recovery and access in the council: “This will allow for appropriate community consultation and would ensure residents across the state adhere to one set of laws, rather than several different ad hoc laws enforced at a local government level”.