By Vanessa Chircop
HOBSONS Bay City Council could be the first municipality in Victoria to ban smoking outside schools, kindergartens and hospitals.
Star can confirm Councillor Luba Grigorovitch will call on council officers to formulate a report on the feasibility of the ban in Hobsons Bay.
The call for the report follows a Hobsons Bay decision last week, to ban smoking on beaches and children’s playgrounds throughout the city.
Cr Grigorovitch who originally brought the motion to the council said she was proud that Hobsons Bay was leading the way in the West by amending its local-laws.
“It’s not just about children, it’s about the entire community,” she said.
The council gave public notice of its intent to ban smoking in May this year, during this time it only received one objection to the proposal.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has also jumped on the no-smoking bandwagon calling on the State Government for a state-wide framework for smoking in outdoor public places, including bans in alfresco dining areas and children’s playgrounds.
Brimbank City Council’s city development general manager Stephen Sully said the council would monitor the steps being taken by Hobsons Bay, but wasn’t considering a similar ban in Brimbank.
Williamstown MP Wade Noonan supported the ban.
“Smoking is a very substantial public health issue,” he said.
“I applaud the Hobsons Bay City Council for their willingness to the lead the way on this issue.”
This decision follows that of other Victorian councils including Frankston City Council and the City of Port Phillip.
Hobsons Bay resident John Sagona told Star he would welcome further bans to smoking in Hobsons Bay.
Mr Sagona said he would like to see smoking banned not just in outdoor dining areas but outdoor shopping precincts such as Pier St.
“I think council should look at this very seriously,” he said.
“While they are concerned for kid’s heath there are other people concerned by this – it’s very intrusive.”
Mr Sagona also raised concerns about the number of cigarette butts on the streets of Hobsons Bay and said further bans would help alleviate this problem.
The ban will be introduced on 1 November and could see offenders whacked with a $200 on-the-spot fine.
