Mall smoking ban imposed

NEWS

The City Council has imposed a total smoking ban in the Queen Street Mall. Announcing the ban on Tuesday Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said that while he was reluctant to introduce new laws, community feedback had demanded action.
“Council consulted widely before making this decision and the overwhelming response from both residents and businesses was that some form of action must be taken,” he said.
“While I am reluctant to introduce more laws, council’s research and consultation feedback showed that 82 per cent of people wanted a total ban. Responses from media surveys and polls were similarly overwhelming.
“Health concerns about passive smoking and concerns that people avoid the mall because of the smoking were key considerations in the ban.”
Council intended to introduce the new law as soon as State Government approval was received. This process could take several months.
In July, the Brisbane community was asked to provide feedback on two options – either a total smoking ban or specified designated smoking areas in Queen Street Mall. More than 1200 comments were posted on council’s Smoking Ban blog, with hundreds of comments received through council’s Contact Centre.
Council also hosted four feedback sessions in the mall and invited the community to comment on the proposed options. Brisbane residents overwhelmingly supported a total ban with 82 per cent of respondents supporting that move, while 12 per cent favoured designated smoking zones.
Cr Newman said while the Smoke Free Places Local Law was being developed, an amnesty period and educational campaign would be undertaken. Once the law came into force, a three-step process would apply with council officers asking smokers to put out their cigarette, then give a warning before issuing a fine. Council expects fines of $200 to be issued under the new local law after it is approved by the State Government in a process expected to take several months.
The total mall ban has the backing of City Council Labor Leader Shayne Sutton who says it is long overdue.
“The issue of banning smoking in the Queen Street Mall is not new and organisations such as Cancer Council Queensland have been calling for the ban for some time,” Councillor Sutton said.