For resident Mikhaela Neilson a smoke free outdoors environment is a long awaited wish.She has given an enthusiastic thumbs up to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s decision to push through a policy to affirm many open areas will become smoke free. Included in the “no smoke zones” are children’s playgrounds, sporting fields and alfresco dining areas after Council formally passed a Smoke Free Outdoor Areas Policy at February’s Council meeting.Council will adopt the policy progressively as funding becomes available with target areas including playgrounds, Council car parks, beaches, alfresco dining areas, playing fields and sports facilities, at outdoor events, bushland reserves, bus stops and taxi ranks.The move follows an extended trial period, an awareness campaign and community consultation.  Director Community and Cultural Development Lesley Atkinson said responses to the draft policy on public exhibition, overwhelmingly endorsed the introduction of a Smoke Free Outdoor Areas policy and this aligned very clearly with community expectations.   “Increasing community awareness of the harmful effects of second-hand smoke has led the community to accept and expect the availability of smoke-free areas,” Ms Atkinson said.  “Experiences of other Councils suggest that the most successful implementation of a Smoke Free Outdoors Areas policy is to implement it gradually, combining it with educative and supportive community engagement processes,” Ms Atkinson said.In a further demonstration of support, Council will lobby the NSW State Government to formally legislate a ban on smoking in outdoor areas.  “State-wide legislation offers a simpler, more consistent approach for everyone, including Councils,” Ms Atkinson said.  $4950 in funding from the Cancer Council has allowed for the installation of bins and signage at four playgrounds throughout the region.  Council will continue to seek grant funding opportunities to implement additional cigarette litter bins and signage at other locations.Major health organisations including the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council NSW, the Australian Medical Association, and Action on Smoking and Health have applauded the expansion of the outdoor smoke-free policy“We congratulate Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for approving the implementation of a policy that protects its community members from exposure to harmful second-hand tobacco smoke,” said Mr Tony Thirlwell, NSW Heart Foundation CEO.“Smoking is the largest single preventable cause of death in Australia, killing more than 15,000 Australians a year.  Evidence shows that a non-smoker’s exposure to second-hand smoke can result in up to a 30 per cent increase in risk of heart disease,” Mr Thirlwell said.Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s expanded policy now covers:
nAll children’s playgroundsnWithin Council car parksnOn all beachesnAll leased, licensed Council land and all Council owned and managed lands and propertiesnAlfresco dining areas on public landnAll playing fields, sporting grounds, and sporting facilitiesnAll Council sponsored outdoor eventsnCouncil’s pedestrian malls, plazasnWithin 10 metres of Council owned or managed buildings including balconies or covered areas of those buildingsnAll bushland, parks and reservesnAll covered bus stops and taxi ranks.“At the Heart Foundation, we are committed to improving the heart health of all Australians and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s outdoor smoke-free policy contributes to this goal,” Mr Thirlwell said.Adele Hayne from Cancer Council’s Mid North Coast regional office said, “Cancer Council is delighted that Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has taken this crucial step to protect children, parents and the whole community from toxic second-hand smoke.“Eight of 10 people in NSW support outdoor smoke-free dining areas and we are glad to see the council responding to the needs of the community,” Mrs Hayne said.Research shows that for every person who objects, seven people will favour the move. Smoke-free dining is good for health, good for dining and good for business,” Mrs Hayne said.Council developed its smoke free policy using a special resource developed by Cancer Council, Heart Foundation, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), and Australian Medical Association NSW, with support from The Local Government Shires Association of NSW.
