Smoke Free Dining
We’ve taken smoke off the menu
From 1 July 2011, all alfresco dining areas on leased Leichhardt Council land will become smoke-free zones.
Smoke free space: better for everyone
The Leichhardt Municipality is home to a vibrant alfresco culture, with many pubs, cafes and restaurants offering outdoor dining areas.
In the interests of public health, Leichhardt Council is smoke free at all council-leased outside dining areas as of 1 July 2011.
Council worked with local businesses to help them get ready to put the smoke free policy into place, and received a great deal of support from diners and businesses.
Signage
To find out if you are dining in a smoke-free zone, look for these signs, which Council supplied local cafes and restaurants:
Smoke Free Dining Information
Council has prepared some information on the benefits of smoke free dining and its effect on businesses.
You can view this information in the pdfs below:
Smoke Free Alfresco Dining flyer (1.48MB)
No Smoking FAQ for businesses (81.95kB)
Health Risks
Smoking – even so-called ‘passive smoking’ – significantly impacts our health with dozens of cancer-causing chemicals.
For children, exposure to tobacco smoke increases the likelihood of SIDS, asthma and ear and chest infections. For adults, sustained exposure to this smoke increases the chances of developing heart disease and lung cancer.
Second-hand smoke in outdoor areas presents a serious health risk to the public and staff. With more than 82 per cent of New South Wales residents being non-smokers, Council is responding to community expectations.
Surveys have shown that most people actually avoid places where they may be exposed to other people’s tobacco smoke.
This smoking ban is a positive and important step forward towards improving public health. Now, Leichhardt’s popular alfresco culture will be even more welcoming to residents and visitors who increasingly expect to dine smoke-free and breathe easily.
Fast Facts from Cancer Council study 2011:
- Over 82% of NSW residents are non-smokers and the numbers are growing
- 8 out of 10 people in NSW now support smoke-free outdoor dining
- 65% of NSW residents surveyed said they avoided places where they may be exposed to other people’s smoke
- In Qld, outdoor eating and drinking venues have been smoke-free since July 2006
- 38% of males and 43% of females said they would frequent a venue more often if it banned smoking in outdoor areas according to a recent NSW Health survey.
Council's Smoke Free Zones
The following areas will continue to be smoke-free zones:
- Within 10m of all Council owned children’s play areas.
- On and around all Council sporting grounds and playing fields
- Within 10 metres of all Council properties
- At all Council events
Smoking will still be allowed in privately owned outdoor dining areas, including outdoor dining areas at hotels and clubs, as required by State legislation.
For further information please contact:
Alison Williams - Environmental & Public Health Education Officer (Wednesday - Friday)
Email: alisonw@lmc.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 9367 9222
Cancer Council
Ph: 02 9334 1900
Heart Foundation (NSW Division)
Ph: 02 9219 2444
Health NSW
Ph: 02 9391 9000