PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council launched the next phase of its Smoke Free Outdoor Areas Policy yesterday with a focus on the region’s beaches.
The launch was held at Port Macquarie’s Town Beach in time for the Christmas holiday period.
While the smoke-free policy will apply to all beaches in the local government area, the focus will initially be on the region’s patrolled beaches and other popular beaches such as Shelly Beach and Pilot Beach.
Council will be erecting signage to advise people that the beaches are now smoke free and will also be distributing stickers and bookmarks carrying the ‘butt out! others about’ message. Free sunscreen sachets carrying the smoke-free and council’s Move Eat Live Well logos will be available from beach kiosks and lifeguard towers.
Council adopted its smoke-free outdoor areas policy in February 2012 with an initial focus on children’s playgrounds, sportsfields and alfresco dining areas. Other target areas will eventually include council car parks, outdoor events, bushland reserves, bus stops and taxi ranks.
State Government legislation that came into effect in January this year made it an offence to smoke on the beach during organised sporting events such as surf lifesaving carnivals and Nippers.
Council’s policy prohibits smoking on the beach at any time. It is taking an approach that is educative and supportive to encourage people to butt out on beaches rather than actually enforcing the policy.
Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling said the move was supported by Cancer Council research showing that smoke-free environments contributed to lower rates of cancer, heart disease and other tobacco-related illnesses.
It will also reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and the volume of tobacco-related litter on our beaches.
Cr Besseling said the council acknowledged the level of physical and emotional suffering and the financial burden caused by cancer in the community.
“This is an important step in creating a healthier environment for local residents and visitors to the area,” Cr Besseling said.
