Australia: Smokers Get Their Butts Kicked Further

Source from:  Daily Telegraph/Sunday Telegraph (au)  01/07/2013

SMOKERS have been warned to butt out at public spaces including playgrounds, bus stops and swimming pools as new rules take effect today.

Smoking is now banned within 10m of children's play equipment, at swimming complexes, and at bus stops, taxi ranks and train station platforms.

It's also out of bounds in spectator areas of sports grounds and recreational areas.
 
Smokers are required to move at least 4m away from a pedestrian access point to a public building.
 
The Smoke-free Environment Act will extend to include a ban on smoking at commercial outdoor dining areas in licensed premises, restaurants and cafes in NSW from July 2015.
 
Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the tobacco crackdown was one of the most advanced in the country. "Smoking-related illness accounts for about 5200 deaths and 44,000 hospitalisations per year in NSW and costs about $8 billion annually," she said.

"Taking steps to limit people's exposure to second-hand smoke in outdoor public places is a key step in efforts to minimise tobacco smoking in our society. Smoking is the leading cause of premature death and disability in NSW." Enditem