Print PageAnti-smoking advocates say strict new laws that come into force in New South Wales today banning smoking at many outdoor venues, will help reduce the health impacts on non-smokers.
Smoking will be banned at bus stops, children's playgrounds, swimming pools and other public places - with big fines for those who flout the rules.
Many of these measures are already in place through council regulations, but the laws now apply uniformly across the state.
The new legislation has been welcomed by health advocates including the Heart Foundation, the NSW Cancer Council and the Australian Medical Association.
The Heart Foundation's Cardiovascular Health Director, Julie Anne Mitchell, says it has taken five long years of lobbying government and industry to achieve the changes.
"I think the evidence has always been stronger for exposure to second-hand smoke in indoor areas," she said.
"Some people were concerned about the evidence regarding outdoor areas, however, that is now as strong almost as indoor areas."
Ms Mitchell says more change is needed.
"Ít does not apply to outdoor gaming areas and we will continue advocating to make all areas smoke free," she said.
Ms Mitchell says she is concerned for the health of workers and patrons in such venues.
But Jillian Skinner has ruled out extending the laws to outdoor gaming areas anytime soon.
"Working in those places is voluntary," she said.
"But that's really not the point here - today we're talking about groundbreaking new legislation that will have as its main aim the protection of children and families from tobacco smoke."
New South Wales Greens MP John Kaye says the strength of the Government's laws are also weakened by allowing smoking in outdoor dining areas in pubs and clubs for the next two years.
"There is a real air of hypocrisy," he said.
"The O'Farrell Government says on the one hand, 'oh look we're really good, we've cleaned up outdoor smoking'.
"Yet at the place where it's most damaging - at restaurants where people are trapped next to a smoker in outdoor eating areas - the O'Farrell Government allows no action until July 2015."
